By Kouri Marshall, Founder, Daddy Victory Club
Last night, I watched the election results at home with my family, with my son sitting on my lap.
Since I was young, I’ve loved the energy of election night. This year, watching as a father, I found myself thinking about what these historic moments mean for my son and daughter—and the world they will grow up in.
The photo accompanying this post shows me and my son, Kouri II, in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol. When I bring him to places like this, I want him to grow up knowing that he belongs. That his voice matters. That public service and leadership are possibilities for him, too.
Photo: Kouri Marshall and his son, Kouri II, in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.
In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of any state in our nation’s history. Our daughters get to witness that history. As a father raising a Black daughter, that fills me with pride and hope.
These moments expand what our children can imagine for themselves. Now comes the difficult work of governing—and making sure that progress reaches families in their everyday lives.
What Comes Next for Black Fathers
At Daddy Victory Club, our mission is to unite, celebrate, and uplift the voices of Black fathers. That work happens when we bring dads and children together, create space for honest conversations, and build relationships that remind fathers they have a community behind them.
It also means speaking up about the support fathers need to be healthy, present, and engaged.
As newly elected leaders prepare to take office, we will encourage them to support:
Mental health resources: Greater awareness and access to care, including support for fathers experiencing paternal postpartum depression.
Employment opportunities and career training: Pathways that help dads build stability and provide for their families.
Fitness and wellness programs: Accessible opportunities for fathers to care for their physical and emotional well-being.
Education for dads: Resources that prepare fathers to be informed, present partners during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.
A supported father is better equipped to lead with patience, love, and purpose at home and in his community.
Bringing Our Experiences Into the Conversation
Every DVC walk, conversation, and shared experience helps us understand what families need. When fathers have room to talk openly, we learn about their hopes, the challenges they face, and the support that could make a difference.
Those relationships must inform our advocacy. They should help shape policies that recognize Black fathers, listen to our experiences, and invest in our well-being.
I want Kouri II and my daughter, Karis, to grow up seeing themselves reflected in leadership. I also want them to see their dad participating, serving, and helping build the kind of community they deserve.
That is part of our responsibility as fathers. We help our children imagine what is possible, and we put in the work to make those possibilities real.
Thank you to everyone who voted. I’m grateful for this moment and committed to the work ahead.
We’re just getting started.