Best Interest: 05.13.2026
Dads at School, advocacy training, Mississippi 50/50 law, new conferences and more
For the roundup of all things family and gender:
Dads at School, my new father engagement nonprofit
Politics and small-penis shaming
How everyday people can pass laws
Congratulations, Mississippi on your equal-parenting law!
Conferences, summits and webinars
P.S. I’m the founding director of Dads at School and we are onboarding K12 Virginia schools for our pilot year. Learn more, sign up for an info session and apply! dadsatschool.org
How everyday people can pass boys and men laws
Last week Governor Abigail Spanberger signed into law Virginia legislation that creates the country’s first advisory commission for boys and men. This will help to understand why boys in the Commonwealth suffer the worst literacy gender gap in the country, or why male suicide rates are so high and life expectancy is so low when compared with women — and what to do about it.
Mississippi passes equal-parenting law
Mississippi became the sixth state in the nation to adopt an equal parenting presumption, joining Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Florida, and Missouri, after the state’s governor signed into law SB1662. Congratulations Mississippi!
Family and gender gatherings
American Public Health Association’s Men’s Caucus is hosting this awesome June 23 virtual training with a stellar roundup I am thrilled to be part of:
Raise awareness about needs, the current political climate, and the vital role of policy
Develop skills for effective advocacy, including messaging and organizing
Connect with a growing national network committed to sustained advocacy action
Register: https://mhctraining. eventbrite.com/
International Family Alliance conferences:
July 9 - 10: Men and Families, Sao Miguel, Portugal
June 10: Call for Proposals for Toronto, Canada!
Consider presenting your work, experiences at the hybrid conference in Toronto THIS November! Submit your proposal for …
November 6 - 7, 2026: Men and Families (hybrid) Toronto
This year, another MaF conference in wonderful downtown Toronto. Great location, great food (including two yummy lunches and of course a 10-course Chinese dinner).
Metropolitan Education Research Consortium 2026 Summit
2026 MERC Summit
June 25, Richmond, Va.
Free
I’ll be presenting on father K12 engagement.
National Fatherhood Summit
The Fatherhood Mandate: Building Families, Building America
Aug 3–5, Dallas
Free
I’m attending - see you there?