Two such “fathers’ – prominent businessman and Memphis City Council trailblazer Fred L. Davis, and the Rev. Tim Russell, an associate pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, died recently within weeks of each other.

“Our community, our village, needs the presence of community fathers to guide and affirm, be an example, lead, protect and send,” said the Rev. Keith Norman, pastor of First Baptist Church-Broad Street.

Norman said community fathers are valuable in helping youth, especially boys, in this time of turmoil.

“Our community, our village, needs the presence of community fathers to guide and affirm, be an example, lead, protect, and send,” said Keith Norman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Broad Street.

Norman said especially in this time of extreme turmoil, community fathers were valuable in helping youth, especially boys.