A Farmingville father has launched a group with a mission to change the way the world views Black fatherhood.
Sean Williams says he started the social media group "The Dad Gang" on Instagram and Facebook in 2016 after a woman in a grocery story asked him if he was holding his daughter.
Williams says he told the woman that of course it was his daughter. He says the woman went on to say well it was good to see he stuck around. That didn't sit well with Williams.
Williams says that's when he realized that the stereotype of Black fathers needed to be shattered.
"We're not deadbeat dads," says Williams.
The Dad Gang started off as a small group of Williams' friends who are also fathers. It quickly grew to include other dads across the country. They all shared their positive images of parenting.
Williams works to circulate images of Black dads interacting with their kids.
"It is not just changing the stereotype, it was more about learning from each other and having a brotherhood of fatherhood," says Williams.
The Dad Gang holds seminars, workshops and social events for Black fathers and their kids. The group recently marched in Washington, D.C. on Father's Day.