Ep 7 - Trailblazer Father, Rookie Dads, Old School, New School Fatherhood
In this powerful one-on-one episode of the Father’s Making Progress Podcast, host Terron Edwards sits down with community elder, mentor, activist, and inaugural Trailblazer & Father of the Year, Baba Anthony Courtney Sr.
From growing up without his father, to becoming a mentor to generations of men in Milwaukee, Baba Courtney shares wisdom on fatherhood, Black family structure, relationships, systemic racism, economics, spirituality, and the importance of rebuilding the village.
This conversation dives deep into:
- The destruction of Black communities through economic divestment
- Fatherhood across generations
- Mentorship and community leadership
- Respect for elders
- Marriage and relationship longevity
- Why “things became more important than people”
- The difference between racism and prejudice
- The spiritual role of fathers
- Raising children with purpose and legacy
This is more than a podcast episode, it’s a masterclass in wisdom, history, and healing.
Sponsored by Community Care, 2026 FMP Awards Partner of the Year.
Get your tickets to the FMP Awards, June 19th at fathersmakingprogress.org
0:00 – Opening spoken word & podcast intro
0:22 – Terron Edwards introduces the episode theme: Intergenerational Fatherhood
0:47 – Community Care sponsorship + FMP Awards announcement
1:17 – Introducing Baba Anthony Courtney: Trailblazer & Father of the Year
1:46 – Baba Courtney shares his background and legacy
2:23 – The difference between prejudice and racism
3:14 – How highways destroyed Black communities
4:13 – Milwaukee factories, NAFTA & economic collapse
4:52 – How job loss fueled drugs, incarceration & broken homes
5:07 – Terron reflects on Flint, Milwaukee & neighborhood decline
6:24 – The impact of community divestment
7:01 – Baba reveals he has 13 children, 57 grandchildren & 27 great-grandchildren
7:48 – Growing up without his father and siblings being separated
8:33 – Welfare policies & the destruction of Black families
9:22 – Terron reflects on losing his father at a young age
10:24 – What the Trailblazer Award meant to Baba Courtney
11:07 – Mentoring generations of fathers through FMP
12:12 – Ben Watson’s tribute and mentorship legacy
13:10 – Biggest differences between fatherhood then vs now
13:30 – “There’s no such thing as a stepdad”
14:11 – The importance of community fatherhood and spiritual lineage
15:13 – “Superstar on the Losing Team” and individualism in the Black community
16:06 – Team building and rebuilding the village mindset
16:49 – Traditional African matrilineal societies explained
17:30 – The meaning behind the word “inheritance”
17:52 – Why young people don’t listen to unhappy adults
18:41 – Respect for elders in past generations
19:36 – “Things became more important than people”
20:23 – Fact or Myth segment begins
20:49 – “Kids should be seen and not heard”
21:29 – “Fathers can’t be nurturing”
22:34 – Parenting roles of mothers vs fathers
23:45 – “Elders don’t understand today’s world”
24:24 – The importance of protecting people’s spirit
25:07 – “Young dads don’t take fatherhood seriously”
25:51 – Grandparents Day story that changed Baba’s perspective
26:44 – The importance of lineage and knowing your ancestors
27:11 – Relationships, marriage & staying together 47 years
28:10 – “Black men carry the word, Black women carry the power”
29:26 – Why Black singing groups disappeared
30:23 – Equality vs complementary relationships
31:07 – Men, women & household roles explained
32:47 – How parenting changes relationships over time
33:35 – Growing up without seeing his father at sports games
34:11 – Why fathers should show up for their children
34:57 – The importance of praise, encouragement & presence
If this episode spoke to you, share it with another father, brother, or man who needs to hear this message.
Because no matter where you are in life…
You’re still making progress!
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