TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Marquess Dennis is the founder and executive director for Birthright Living Legacy, a non-profit providing a community and guidance for fathers and their families. Photo Provided.
The Organization Is Making A Local and Statewide Impact On Fatherhood
Birthright Living Legacy is celebrating its fifth year of providing services to fathers and their families.
In recognition of the anniversary, the organization is sponsoring the first of three family park crawls at Whiteside Park Community Center, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave., on May 31, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
The park crawl will lead up to the official anniversary celebration at the Fifth Annual Fatherhood Love Lottery Sweepstakes and Award Celebration at Five Oaks Lodge, 528 E. 121st St. S., Jenks, on June 13. For tickets, go to https://brlivinglegacy.com/.
Established during COVID, Birthright is the only non-profit in Oklahoma solely dedicated to helping fathers.
In Tulsa, according to the non-profit, approximately 36,200 children are fatherless, and national statistics reflect the phenomenon:
- 1 in 4 children live without a father (over 18 million children)
- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
- 90% of homeless and runaway children come from fatherless homes
- Children without their biological father are two to three times more likely to be expelled or suspended from school
“For too long, society has been misled to believe that fathers are secondary to the family unit, optional rather than essential. As a result, the role of fathers has been diminished, and families have suffered the consequences. But the truth is undeniable: fathers bring something to the table that no one else can,” said Marquess Dennis, founder and executive director of the organization.
Dennis founded Birthright because he saw a need for community and guidance for fathers. As a father, he learned that more is caught than taught. So, he created Birthright Living Legacy to lead efforts in Tulsa (and Oklahoma) to foster intentional opportunities for fathers to deepen their bonds and relationships with their families.
“Our mission is simple yet profound: to celebrate, equip, and empower fathers to step confidently into their role as leaders in their families and communities,” said Dennis.
He said that through events, mentorship, and ongoing support, Birthright Living Legacy is committed to ensuring that no father feels alone in his journey. This is more than just an initiative. It is a movement to restore the honor and necessity of fatherhood in today’s world.
For more information, contact info@brlivinglegacy.org or (918) 691-9140.
Birthright Living Legacy
Birthright Living Legacy was created to connect fathers through community events and workshops designed to improve parent-child relationships. In addition to these services, Birthright Living Legacy also provides support and counseling to fathers while it creates a strong community of fathers dedicated to breaking negative parenting cycles. For more information, visit https://brlivinglegacy.com/.
