We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Joe Roberson Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Joe, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and how Our Fatherless Foundation came to pass. On Jun 1, 2017, I was abruptly awakened from a sound sleep at 3 AM. It wasn’t uncommon for me to experience a restless night’s sleep in a hotel room while on business, but this was truly different and, if I can be honest, quite terrifying. We have all had those scary dreams that cause us to awaken in a cold sweat with our hearts racing. Instead of experiencing a bizarre event while asleep, mine began seconds before an awakening, both literally and figuratively.

As I slept, I began experiencing a mild heartache, which intensified so severely that I instantly awoke and sat in bed. After sitting up, I immediately began rubbing my left pectoral chest muscle with the palm of my right hand. I thought I was experiencing a heart attack for a second, but as I processed what was occurring, I repeatedly heard the word “fatherless” in my head, bouncing back and forward like a ping pong ball. Although the sound was not audible, I heard my voice utter ‘fatherless’ internally about 8 – 10 times. Before this day, I may have encountered the term ‘fatherless’ once. But, I have gathered on several occasions that God burdens his people’s hearts, and obviously, I was experiencing something supernatural.

I reached over, turned on the light, and grabbed my laptop. I knew the Lord was grasping my attention and calling me to act on this ‘fatherless’ initiative. Once my computer booted, I began searching the term and learned a few glaring facts about fatherlessness. In 2017, 16.7 million households were led by single mothers. As I researched, the physical heartache began to subside, but now it hurts for a different reason. The more research I conducted, the more convicted I became and knew the Lord was calling me to spearhead this initiative.

Once I came to that revelation, I began searching for domain names for a business addressing fatherlessness. I searched multiple domain names with the term ‘father’. However, all options were taken, so I paused and thought, “I want the term ‘fatherless’ in the name, but how can I incorporate the name in a way that encompasses what the Lord desires from this organization?” I believed he wanted me to not only address fatherlessness but also to add accountability and ownership. I thought, “Hmm, what about “Our Fatherless”? Our denotes everyone. Fatherless is the absence of our earthly fathers, but also the absence of our heavenly father”. It was perfect, and most importantly, the domain name was available, and the business name was also available in Georgia. I purchased the domain that week and officially became a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization on Mar 1, 2018.

What should our readers know about your business?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17.8 million children, or 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. Fatherlessness is an epidemic that transcends racial, cultural, and socio-economic barriers.

Our Fatherless Foundation is honored to champion the initiative to eradicate fatherlessness. Our mission to end fatherlessness is fulfilled through the four pillars of our C.A.R.E. Initiative: Care, Accountability, Resources, and Education. This comprehensive approach nurtures families by reconnecting fathers and father figures with children, instilling accountability, delivering vital resources, and educating fathers on positive role modeling and techniques for maintaining a healthy balance. Each pillar coincides with a program designed to support our mission.

We are extremely excited about 2024 and the community impact that is ahead. We are rolling out the Present Father Advocacy program in addition to expanding our youth mentoring services to many more deserving kids in our community. Additionally, we are set to host our 3rd annual Father and Son retreat and a host of additional community-serving initiatives.

These initiatives are a direct result of the dedication and support from our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Without their continued commitment, none of this would be possible. We are grateful for their belief in our mission and their willingness to invest their time, resources, and expertise into making a difference in the lives of fathers and children in our community. With their help, we are confident that we will be able to reach even more families and create lasting, positive change. As we look forward to the year ahead, we are filled with hope and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question. Atlanta is a phenomenally diverse city with an abundance of nightlife and culture, so the options are endless. Given my busy schedule during the week, the most I can commit to is the weekend. With that said, on Friday night, we may take in the city with dinner at 5Church Midtown or STK. Afterward, head to a cigar bar or someplace with live jazz music, such as Kats Cafe, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint, or The Velvet Note. The next morning, we would check out the Georgia Aquarium or the World of Coke. Afterward, we would grab a nice, hearty lunch from Busy Bees or Hattie B’s. Afterward, we all may need a nap to sleep away the ITIS…lol. Later, we will end the evening by taking in a comedy show at Atlanta Comedy Theater. Sunday would consist of attending Sunday service at Victory Church and brunch at Flying Biscuit or Milk and Honey.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without question, there are two people who deserve a shoutout. First, I would like to give honor to my Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him, I am absolutely nothing. Secondly, I want to give a shoutout to my beautiful, intelligent, multi-talented wife and co-founder, Rahkal Roberson. She has been instrumental in taking Our Fatherless Foundation from a divine concept to a living organism with a heartbeat. She brings not only her passion and creativity to the table but also her unwavering dedication and tireless work ethic. Rahkal’s relentless pursuit of our foundation’s mission to provide resources and support to fatherless children has been an inspiration to us all. Her tenacity and commitment have propelled us forward, turning dreams into reality. I am beyond grateful for her influence in my life and the impact she continues to make on our organization.

Website: https://www.ourfatherless.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourfatherless/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/ourfatherless

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourfatherless

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourfatherless

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/our-fatherless-foundation-lawrenceville-3?osq=our+fatherless

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMIeX1o9-pCqSRDCpcVfpw

Other: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoejr_

Image Credits
Madison Truscan Photography

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