Fathers Incorporated’s (FI) Gentle Warrior Academy (GWA) is set to host its most monumental graduation to date. On April 12, 2025, over 100 fathers — the largest cohort in GWA history — will graduate from FI’s transformative fatherhood programs during the FIRE 100 Graduation at the renowned Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.
The event will feature keynote speaker Dorsey Levens, a Super Bowl champion, Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer, Georgia Tech alumnus, and board member of Fathers Incorporated. Levens, a dedicated advocate for fathers and families, will deliver a powerful message of purpose, perseverance, and healing.
“Fatherhood is more than a title — it’s a calling,” said Dorsey Levens. “These men have made the choice to break cycles, build legacies, and show up for their children and communities. I’m proud to stand with them — not just as a keynote speaker, but as a fellow believer in the transformative power of fatherhood.”
The FIRE 100 Graduation will honor graduates from several distinct GWA fatherhood programs, including:
- FIRE NextLevel Fatherhood
- The Connect Program (with the Annie E. Casey Foundation)
- Gateway Program for Unhoused Fathers
- Partnership with the Georgia Department of Child Support Services
- Reentry Cohort from the Fulton County Jail
With this graduation, FI surpasses its commitment to serve 900 fathers under a grant from the federal Office of Family Assistance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). These dads receive several vital support services from FI:
- Parenting education
- Legitimation case support and training
- Employment services
- Child support assistance
- Housing referrals
- Life coaching and case management
- Research participation and community service engagement
Fathers Matter ATL and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, organizations committed to strengthening families and building support systems for fathers, proudly support the FIRE 100 Graduation.
“We are not just celebrating a graduation — we are recognizing resilience, redemption, and the redefinition of what it means to be a father,” said Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated. “This moment reflects the collective power of belief, investment, and brotherhood.”Looking Ahead: What’s Next for GWA and Fathers Incorporated
This milestone is only the beginning. Fathers Incorporated is also poised to
- Strengthen data collection and infrastructure
- Expand support services to include families and co-parents
- Enhance relationship and co-parenting education
- Increase research efforts to inform policy and legislation
- Address the impact of Georgia’s Legitimation Law on fathers and their children
