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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesLEONARD PITTS JR. TO SPEAK ON ST. THOMAS

LEONARD PITTS JR. TO SPEAK ON ST. THOMAS

Leonard Pitts Jr. , Pulitzer nominated journalist, author and syndicated columnist, grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father who died young. And yet, he and his three siblings "always got good grades and grew up to be good citizens," Pitts said recently in an interview in Foreward Magazine. On Friday, Oct 27 Pitts will be on St. Thomas to speak about fatherhood and his book "Becoming Dad, Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood," published in May 1999.
The book is a study of black men and their relationships with their fathers, including Pitts' relationship with his own father and the emotional baggage he's had to overcome in order to be a father himself.
His book also looks at the issue of low marriage rates among blacks and the preponderance of female-headed households.
Pitts' visit to St. Thomas is timely, given the recent release of "Kids Count," a report on the state of Virgin Islands' children.
The report, published by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, revealed that almost half of the territory's children live in single parent households – and even more startling – almost one third don't live with either parent.
Pitts' appearance in the V.I. is sponsored by CFVI and Virgin Islands Advocacy Incorporated.
The evening begins at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27 at the Windward Passage/Holiday Inn Hotel.
Admission is free and parents are urged to bring young people to encourage them think about the responsibilities involved in parenting.
For more information, call CFVI at 774-6031.

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