About the Amplifying Fatherhood Conference
The inaugural Tennessee Fatherhood Conference took place in Nashville from September 25th to 27th, 2023, marking a historic event in the state's efforts to address fatherhood-related issues. Hosted by Commissioner Clarence H. Carter and TDHS, this statewide conference aimed to raise awareness of the challenges surrounding fatherhood, including family relationships, paternity establishment, child support, healthy co-parenting, and self-sufficiency. With a focus on promoting ongoing initiatives in social services and other programs serving fathers, the event brought together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and leaders to explore the current state of fatherhood in Tennessee and develop solutions to support families and fathers across the state. Check out the Fatherhood Conference Program Booklet to learn more!
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Conference Archives
Featured Speakers
Featured Keynotes:
Clarence H. Carter
Commissioner for the
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Cherrell Campbell-Street
Deputy Commissioner for the
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Kay Coles James
Former Secretary, Commonwealth of Virginia
Troy M. Smith
Founder & Owner of Mostmoto365
Dr. Warren Farrell
Author of The Boy Crisis
Dr. Linda Nielsen
Professor of Psychology at
Wake Forest University and Author
Dr. Bradford Wilcox
Professor of Sociology and Director of
the National Marriage Project at The University of Virginia
Marcus Meneese
Founder and Executive Director
of Stronger Than My Father
Featured Moderators:
Rep. Johnny Shaw
Representative of Tennessee (District 80)
Rep. Mark White
Representative of Tennessee (District 83)
Geneva Ware-Rice
Executive Director of
His Sparrow Family Center
Dr. Jerry Askew
Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese
of East Tennessee & Former President of Alliance for Better Nonprofits
Featured Panelists:
Seth Chamberlain
Branch Chief for Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood at Administration for Children and Families
Sharmain Harris
National Speaker and Trainer on
Father Engagement and Justice Reform
Marcus Meneese
Founder and Executive Director
of Stronger Than My Father
John DeBerry
Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Lee and
Former Representative of Tennessee (District 90)
Rep. Chris Sprowls
Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch
Chair of the Strong Families Commission of Pennsylvania
Avis Files
Program Director of Pathway, Inc.
Cheri Tillis
CEO of the Fathers and
Families Support Center
Pat Littlejohn
Former Executive Director of South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families
Commissioner Tanguler Gray
Commissioner of the Office of Child Support Enforcement
Joe Jones
Founder, President, and CEO
of Center for Urban Families
Dr. Cynthia Osborne
Professor of Early Childhood Education and Policy and Executive Director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt
Troy M. Smith
Founder & Owner of Mostmoto365
