Who We Are

The Father’s Group was founded by several black fathers who were concerned about the experiences their children were having both in school and in the broader community. They met initially to share thoughts, concerns and advice, yet soon realized they needed to take more concrete action to secure our next generation’s future. The Father’s Group is Black-led, but it embraces collaboration and cross-cultural influences, operating not just a group, but also as dedicated individuals who are doing great work in the community in education, business and social services. Priorities for The Father’s Group include building community by overcoming racial discrimination, increasing diversity in all sectors of society, providing asafe space for people to talk and share experiences, helping students set and complete educational goals, promoting minority-owned businesses and helping residents achieve financial independence.

The Father’s Group meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 5:30pm at The Haven. Please contact us at info@thefathersgroup.com if you are interested in attending or learning more about the group.

Mission

The Father’s Group works to enhance the lives of the Black community through youth education, leadership, economic empowerment and community advocacy, while strengthening our community, eliminating barriers, and helping them reach their full potential.

Vision

The Father’s Group (TFG) is a dynamic, nonprofit Black-led organization, ready to meet the challenges of our community through a collaborative and positive approach.

The Father’s Group envisions:

Youth Education: By motivating, inspiring and providing access to educational resources, our legacy will be increasing cultural literacy, knowledge and understanding within the Black community.
Leadership: Through mentorship and education we seek to foster the leadership potential within the Black community.
Community Advocacy: Through our community advocacy we seek to reduce systemic targeting and harm towards the Black community.

Our Executive Director

Kenny Adams

Kenny is a writer, designer, film maker, and a father. As Executive Director of The Father’s Group, Kenny has bolstered and strengthened The Ujima Youth Program, developed the Night Out With The Father’s Group series, developed and administered The Father’s Group Film Festival featuring his own documentary, Blend in which he interviews many Black residents of Central Oregon.

Our Board of Directors

David Merritt

Board President

CEO of Connectin Tha Streets Entertainment, brings his 20+ years of experience working with various labels to assist aspiring artists with writing, recording, and performing music, father of one daughter.

Kelly Musgrove

Board Vice President

Criminal Justice Professor; retired Police Commander from California after working in law enforcement for 26 yrs; holds a Masters in Business/Public Administration; Managing Principal Broker at Team Birtola High Desert Realty; father of three daughters (30, 28 and 5 yrs old).

Tashia James

Board Treasurer

Secretary and Treasurer of Connectin’ Tha Streets Entertainment; able to talk first-hand about the challenges of being a mother of black children growing up here in Bend and not understanding why they are being treated differently from their peers.

Aisha Ali

Board Member

Aisha Ali serves as Executive Director of Career Girls. Aisha studied business at New York University. She was an original member of the planning committee to bring an NAACP Charter to Central Oregon before plans were tabled in late 2021. She continues to donate her time to help BIPOC organizations fund and produce successful events.

David Chisholm

Board Member

A professional chef for over 20 years, songwriter, father of four sons; able to talk about the difficulties and challenges of raising young black men in Bend, and the double-standards and discrimination that they faced growing up.

John Charles

Board Member

John is a multi-talented individual serving as President of P.I.R.S. By SriPonya while also owning John John’s Barbecue Sauce, available in 20+ stores. He’s a National Quarterback trainer and actively participates in public service committees across the Northwest, including advisory roles with the CLEAR Alliance and the City of Prineville Budget Committee. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Portland State University and an Associates from Foothill Junior College, John’s achievements span from being inducted into the Portland State Football Hall of Fame as a Quarterback to receiving the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he cherishes his role as a father to a daughter.

Gordon Price

Board Member Emeritus

Currently the Coordinator for Student Activities and Events at Central Oregon Community College; has worked in Higher Education for over 20 years in a variety of roles, including Financial Aid, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Activities and Student Life; actively engaged in presenting and lecturing on diversity and inclusion programs and projects as well as restorative justice and equity workshops and youth summits; holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Dalton Miller-Jones

Board Member Emeritus

Received his doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University and has taught at Cornell, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Williams College, and the City University of New York’s Graduate School; Prof Miller-Jones’ research focused on the impact of culture on development and learning, especially for African American and Indigenous First Nations children; In 2006 Governor Kulongowski appointed Dalton to the Oregon Board of Higher Education; is co-chair of the Restorative Justice & Equity group; proud father of 4 Black children and 8 grandchildren.

Marcus LeGrand

Board Member Emeritus

College and Career Success Coach and an Instructor of Business and Human Development at Central Oregon Community College; currently serves on the Bend-La Pine School District Budget Committee and volunteers for numerous organizations (Restorative Justice, and Equity, The Fathers Group, and Central Oregon Equity Council); holds a BA in Marketing and Advertising and an MA in Counseling and Psychotherapy; Navy veteran who fought in the Persian Gulf; father of a daughter and son.

Judith Faustima

Board Member Emeritus

Integrative Liberation-Focused Psychotherapist and Owner of Triune Health & Wellness. Instructor at Oregon State University providing systems supervision and professional development to master level clinical interns. Over ten years experience in working with adolescents and families, especially transracially adopted families. Active member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Association of Black Counselors and the Therapy that Liberates community. Holds a Master in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently a doctoral student for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Katherina Barguil

Board Member Emeritus

Civil engineer and Pacific Northwest Client Manager for Isle Utilities, a global team of scientists, engineers, business and regulatory experts working to make a positive social, economical, and environmental impact through the advancement of innovative technologies and practices in the water sector. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist in the United States Peace Corps. Vice Chair of the City of Bend’s Planning Commission and an advocate for BILAPOC business development, STEM education, and social justice collaboration.