Casey Phillips – Executive Director, BR Walls Project

Age: 37
Child: Mason (pictured), age 9

My biggest challenge as a single dad: Instilling progressive values with consistency in the conservative South.

A misconception about fatherhood: That you have to put your dreams on hold for your child’s sake. I truly believe you can do it all.

Advice for other busy dads: Balance. Accept that work will be there again tomorrow. Have dinner, check homework and read a bedtime book together. And on nights when that seems impossible, do it anyway. Drink more coffee and get up before sunrise!

How we connect: We walk the neighborhood and take road trips together. There is no substitute for being fully present with one another to tell stories, crack jokes or when tough times hit, to give one another a strong shoulder to cry on.

Do you know a devoted local father? Tell us about him by emailing [email protected].