Poets and authors to headline June 6 open mic on fathers in Washington

By AI, Created 1:45 PM UTC, May 25, 2026, /AGP/ – E. Ethelbert Miller, Kenny Carroll and David Miller, PhD, will lead “Speaking About Fathers” on June 6 at Tenley-Friendship Library in Washington, DC. The open-mic tribute invites the community to share stories, poems and essays about fathers and father figures.

Why it matters: - The event centers fatherhood, family and legacy in a public space for performance and conversation. - Esther Productions Inc. is using the program to create space for connection, healing, celebration and artistic expression around the role fathers and father figures play in families and communities. - The gathering also aims to bring daughters and sons into the same conversation through shared memories, reflections and creative work.

What happened: - Esther Productions Inc., in partnership with Tenley-Friendship Library and The Black Student Fund, is presenting “Speaking About Fathers.” - E. Ethelbert Miller, Kenny Carroll and David Miller, PhD, will headline the event. - The program is scheduled for June 6 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC. - Audience members can sign up during the event to share stories, poems or personal essays about fathers, grandfathers, uncles, neighbors, mentors, teachers or other influential father figures.

The details: - Additional creatives and community voices will add personal reflections during the afternoon. - The event is described as an open mic and a special tribute. - Esther Productions Inc. says it has used the arts since 2005 to highlight the importance of fathers in the lives of their daughters. - The organization says research shows engaged fathers can help daughters build confidence, self-worth and a healthy understanding of relationships and identity. - Esther Productions Inc. also frames fathers as guides who help children navigate life with strength, wisdom and resilience. - Daughters and sons are invited to participate by sharing memories, reflections and creative works, or by listening and supporting others.

Between the lines: - The program reflects a broader push to treat fatherhood as both a family issue and a community issue, not just a private relationship. - By pairing poetry, storytelling and discussion, the organizers are signaling that artistic expression can be part of civic and family healing. - The focus on father figures beyond biological fathers widens the event’s reach and makes the tribute more inclusive.

What’s next: - The open mic will unfold on June 6, with attendees invited to contribute live during the event. - The organizers are positioning the gathering as a community celebration built around shared experiences and personal testimony. - Esther Productions Inc. is encouraging participation from both daughters and sons as part of the program’s broader conversation on fatherhood.

The bottom line: - “Speaking About Fathers” is both a tribute and a participatory forum, using literature and lived experience to spotlight the role fathers and father figures play in family life.