For Good Podcast, Ep. “Breaking the Cycle: How Fathers Shape the Mental Health of Black Boys”
Host: Joseph "JoJo" Simmons | Guest: Dr. Alvin Thomas
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the crucial and often overlooked role of fathers in the mental health and development of Black boys, with a special focus on breaking destructive generational cycles. Host JoJo Simmons, drawing from his personal experience as a father and son, welcomes Dr. Alvin Thomas, a Caribbean-born clinical psychologist, researcher, and host of the Black Fathers Pulse podcast. Through honest discussion, the conversation reframes stereotypes, highlights the power of intentional fatherhood, and offers actionable insights for families, communities, and institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Alvin Thomas’ Journey: From Caribbean Classrooms to Black Fatherhood Advocacy

[02:31 – 05:55]

• Dr. Thomas introduces himself as Caribbean (St. Lucia), originally an educator, whose classroom experiences revealed the multifaceted barriers (home, finances, community) preventing Black boys from fulfilling their potential.
• “I taught elementary school, middle school, high school…What can we do to make sure that we can speak to and can highlight the best possibilities for our children?” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 03:13)
• His move to study clinical psychology was driven by a desire to research root causes and resources for resilience, noting how fatherhood emerged as an underutilized strength within families.

The Forgotten Parent: Fathers as ‘Appendix’ in Family Narratives

[00:00 / 05:55 – 11:05]

• Dr. Thomas discusses widespread neglect of fathers in academic and public discourse: “Fathers were like the appendix of the family. It's okay if you have one, but it doesn't matter if you don't.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 00:00/05:55)
• The normalization of absent fathers in Black communities is challenged—highlighting how, historically, Black fathers remained involved, even during times such as chattel slavery.

Debunking Stereotypes: Black Fathers’ True Involvement

[11:05 – 15:46]

• Despite entrenched narratives, research shows Black fathers are often more involved than credited, especially non-residential fathers (e.g., attending t-ball games, offering emotional and financial support).
• “Our systems don't capture those fathers…There is no system set up to capture those ways that those fathers are involved.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 12:28)
• The need for Black men to tell their own stories and normalize discussions of fatherhood challenges and wins.

Healthy Father Engagement: Meeting Children Where They Are

[15:46 – 21:12]

• There’s no one-size-fits-all model, but key elements are being present and available, even in simple day-to-day moments:
• “Be present. Be available. Put your phone down, put it on silent, turn it over…So when your kid looks at your face, they see your eyes staring back at them.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 20:45)
• Shared anecdotes show that joy in parenting comes from small, authentic interactions—not big ‘Instagram moments’.

Spaces for Accountability & Recognizing Father’s Growth

[21:12 – 26:26]

• Society is just beginning to create more spaces for fathers to be vulnerable, take accountability, and grow—but change is still slow, especially at the policy level.
• “As a society, we still do not believe that men need to be helped…Men don’t need support…People don’t just figure things out.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 24:43)
• True provision includes emotional presence and nurturing, not just financial support.

The Power & Loss of Collective Efficacy (“It Takes a Village”)

[26:26 – 30:01]

• Collective efficacy—“knowing that Ms. Brown down the street…has the same values as your parent”—is being lost as community bonds weaken.
• “We're losing [it] very fast because everyone…is stuck behind our screens, behind our curtains and drapes and behind our padlocked doors.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 28:55)

Honesty, Humility & Building Resilient Communities

[30:01 – 34:31]

• True resilience in children comes when adults are honest about their limitations and accept help from the community.
• Dishonesty in defending children from community accountability teaches harmful self-centeredness.
• “Without each other, we are nothing and we are going to be blown away like dust.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 31:42)

Raising More Than Our Own Kids: Expanding Parental Responsibility

[32:11 – 36:16]

• JoJo and Dr. Thomas stress that all adults influence not just their own kids, but every child their child interacts with, whether online or in-person.
• “We're raising more than just our children. We're raising the children connected to our children.” (JoJo Simmons, 34:11)

On Translating Research to Real Life: From the Ivory Tower to Everyday Dads

[36:35 – 40:22]

• Dr. Thomas bridges academic research and community needs through consulting, podcasting (Black Fathers Pulse), and a blog (Fatherhood Depot), making knowledge about fatherhood accessible beyond academia.
• Black Fathers Pulse podcast features honest stories—pain, triumph, and breaking cycles—directly from fathers.

Changing Institutional Perceptions & Practices

[40:44 – 47:25]

• Leaders and organizations must recognize biases about fathers, especially Black fathers, and intentionally dismantle stereotypes.
• Inclusion must go beyond token gestures (“dad-daughter dance”); institutions need to treat dads as equal parents and partners.

Future Hope, Balance & Avoiding “Zero-Sum” Thinking

[48:04 – 52:26]

• Recent generations are more emotionally open, giving Dr. Thomas hope, but he cautions against swinging support from one gender to another—instead, both fathers and mothers need robust support.
• “Support for fathers is not an emptying of support for mothers. We can…support both fathers and mothers at the same time.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 51:04)

Redefining Legacy & The Definition of Doing Good

[52:39 – 56:29]

• Dr. Thomas says legacy is not about personal remembrance, but about making a positive impact—he hopes someone, even indirectly, is better because of his work.
• “Do [your work] in such a way that the people with whom you interact leave either better or challenged.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 56:14)

Final Reflections: Messages to Fathers and Persevering Through Obstacles

[56:42 – 60:33]

• Direct message to fathers:
  • “You are important. You are necessary. You are not an appendix. You are not disposable. Be present, be available for your child.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 58:11)
• On facing slow progress:
  • “I'm creating an ark. Not because it's going to be used right now, but because rain is coming down the road…” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 59:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the invisibility of fathers:
  “Fathers were like the appendix of the family. It's okay if you have one, but it doesn't matter if you don't.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 00:00/05:55)

• On collective responsibility:
  “We're raising more than just our children. We're raising the children connected to our children.” (JoJo Simmons, 34:11)

• On the importance of presence:
  “Put your phone down…so that your kid cannot see it…when your kid looks at your face, they see your eyes…they know they have all of you. Be present. Be available.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 20:45)

• On fatherhood and healing:
  “Your child needs you. Your child loves you…You are important. You are necessary. You are not an appendix. You are not disposable.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 58:11)

• On legacy:
  “Legacy is people. Legacy is not you…Will there be somebody whose family is better because of that? That is the legacy.” (Dr. Alvin Thomas, 53:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dr. Alvin Thomas’ introduction & early inspiration: 02:31–05:55
• Fatherhood as overlooked resource: 05:55–11:05
• Challenging Black father stereotypes: 11:05–15:46
• Healthy father engagement in practice: 15:46–21:12
• Societal support and accountability for fathers: 21:12–26:26
• Collective efficacy—it takes a village: 26:26–30:01
• Building honest, resilient communities: 30:01–34:31
• Parental influence beyond the home: 32:11–36:16
• From research to community impact: 36:35–40:22
• Changing organizational mindsets: 40:44–47:25
• Hope for future of fatherhood: 48:04–52:26
• Legacy and doing good: 52:39–56:29
• Direct encouragement to fathers: 56:42–58:25
• Motivation during setbacks: 58:45–60:33

Conclusion

This episode is a rich, soulful, and empowering exploration of what it means to be—and support—an intentional father. Through personal narratives, research insights, and community wisdom, Dr. Thomas and JoJo Simmons model vulnerability, accountability, and a dedication to intergenerational healing. The central message: Presence, honesty, and collective effort matter. Fathers are not appendices, but indispensable sources of love, resilience, and hope for families and beyond.

Find Dr. Alvin Thomas:

• Website: dralvinthomas.com
• [Podcast: Black Fathers Pulse] (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)
• [Instagram: @dralvinthomas | @blackfatherspulse]
• [Blog: Fatherhood Depot]

For more: Subscribe to For Good Podcast & Black Fathers Pulse!