Home » Fathers in Focus 2026 » Fathers in Focus Conference Track 2: Relationship and Parenting Skill Building 2026
Fathers in Focus Conference Track 2: Relationship and Parenting Skill Building 2026
This track is designed to help you strengthen your relationships with your children and partner. Sessions will cover topics such as building strong emotional bonds with your children, effective discipline strategies, and nurturing healthy relationships within your family. Whether you’re a new parent or looking to enhance your parenting skills, these sessions will provide practical tips and advice to support you on your parenting journey.
Father by Birth… Dad by Choice
Presented By Bronson McCarty
Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration
This session challenges the idea that fatherhood is automatic. While becoming a father happens by birth, being a dad requires intention. Participants will reflect on how they show up, define their role, and leave with practical ways to be more present, purposeful, and impactful in their child’s life.
Bronson D. McCarty is an educator, speaker, and mentor with over 25 years of experience working with youth and families. A district leader in Milwaukee, he specializes in school improvement and family engagement. As the founder of What’s Next, Bronson leads workshops and speaks on fatherhood, mentorship, and personal growth. Known for his relatable, real-world approach, he challenges men to move beyond titles and show up with intention, presence, and purpose. His work connects education, lived experience, and culture to create lasting impact for fathers, young men, and the communities they serve.
The Eubanks Learner Language- an advocacy tool to establish and strengthen relationships
Presented By Dr. Jamaal Eubanks
Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration
One of the most powerful things a father can do is understand how his child learns and experiences support. The Eubanks Learner Language™ helps children identify how they learn best—as a Reader, Talker, Doer, or Visualizer—and how they feel most valued and supported.
This session introduces fathers, parents, and caregivers to a practical framework for strengthening communication, connection, and advocacy at home and in school. Participants will learn how understanding a child’s learning and support style can improve relationships, increase engagement, and create more meaningful interactions. Through the accompanying Family Companion Guide, fathers will gain tools to better understand their children, navigate educational settings, and foster stronger family connections.
This session is designed for fathers, parents, guardians, and caregivers seeking practical strategies to support their children’s growth and success.
Dr. Armaad Jamaal Eubanks is a recent doctoral graduate, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian of the Year Award, and proud South Madison native whose life reflects the transformative power of determination and service. He is the founder of Eubanks Solutions, an educational consulting firm that partners with educators, school districts, juvenile facilities, and educational conferences.
Dr. Eubanks is the author of The Determination to Succeed and creator of The Determination to Succeed Back-to-School Summit, which has served youth and families throughout the Madison community. His doctoral research focuses on mentoring and its impact on academic success and self-efficacy among African American male students, reflecting his commitment to advancing educational equity and opportunity.
The Missing Curriculum: What Fathers Must Teach That Schools Won’t
Presented By Henry McDavid
Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration
This session examines how child support systems shape family financial stability and child well-being, with attention to policy design and everyday realities. Designed for practitioners, policymakers, fathers and advocates, it offers research-informed insights and practical strategies to support families navigating financial obligations and economic uncertainty.
Henry is a father, educator, and founder of KIKIFER’S Entrepreneurial Academy, a private K–12 school focused on entrepreneurship, authorship, and real-world student outcomes. Over the past several years, he has helped students publish over 200 books and develop income-generating businesses. Through his work, Henry focuses on building discipline, critical thinking, and purpose in young people. He is passionate about equipping fathers with practical strategies to lead, guide, and develop their children beyond traditional education. His approach blends real-life experience, structure, and results-driven systems that families can apply immediately.
A Workshop About Cultivating Bilingualism in our Children and Forms of Support We Can Provide as Parents
Presented By Dominic J. Ledesma and Citlali Ledesma
Presented in Spanish, interpretation available upon request in registration
This session examines the development of bilingualism from an early age. What is our role as parents, and how can we contribute toward positive images of culture and identity?
Dr. Dominic Ledesma is a UW-Madison Administrator. A large part of his professional and academic life has been dedicated to understanding and resisting the effects of assimilation, especially on issues related to culture and language. With his wife, Lucia, he is a father of a ten-year-old daughter. He was born in Minnesota, and now lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
Citlali is a fifth grader at Nuestro Mundo Elementary School in Madison. Citlali values the role both English and Spanish play in her life, and is fortunate to be supported by educators and family members who model, reflect, and reinforce the gifts she shares as a bilingual and bicultural person.