REVOLT is celebrating this Father’s Day a little differently, with a salute to the fathers on our team at Combs Enterprises. These are firsthand accounts of how fatherhood can change a man’s life, as well as how having a great dad can make all the difference to a child. #RespekToPops

“As they say, true love is the love between a parent and a child. Becoming a father challenged me to be a better man!” —James Brown

James Brown and sons

“My dad owned a record store. He often told us when we were young that he’d catch kids stealing records. While he banned repeat offenders from the store, I used to think it was annoying that he let every single kid off scot-free. This photo of his store was posted on a Facebook site for nostalgic Rockford, Illinois, photos. As I read through the comments about how people met their husbands there, used to listen to music there all day, were inspired artistically from the album covers, and other terrific comments about ‘how nice the owner, Jordan Smith,’ was, there was one comment that changed my perspective on my dad entirely…”

Adina Smith

“A guy mentioned that when he was a teen, he stole a few albums and my dad caught him. He was petrified. My dad pulled him aside and spoke to him ‘like he was a man.’ He thought he was going to be arrested and had a deep fear of the police. He said that if he were arrested, it would have changed his whole life for the worse, and he was always grateful to my father for handling it the way he did and how it positively shaped his future. It was then that I got why my dad never called the cops, how great of a man he was (he died nearly four years ago) and how wrong I was for being mad at him for not calling the cops — how that can change the course of someone’s life for better or worse. My dad was badass and was way cooler than I knew at the time!” —Adina Smith

Jordan and Adina Smith

“Having kids has made me so happy — and I was already a happy guy. My heart has grown bigger than I ever imagined. But I’ve also learned that everybody is someone’s baby. That has completely changed my perspective and feeling about the world.” —Jake Katz:

Jake Katz and kids

“My father and best friend taught me no matter what you’re going through always enjoy life!” —Kareemah Sellers

Kareemah Sellars (right) and father

“My son changed my life for the better! He gave me great focus, drive and unconditional love. I was in college when I had my son. Fresh off line, life of the party and known for my insane side hustles (lol). When I had my son I had to become a provider extremely fast. I remember working three jobs and starting my own production and publishing company just to make ends meet. My son gave me tremendous motivation, a desire to leave him a legacy as I wished my family would have done for my siblings and me. I love my parents, they were hard workers, but I want to be an example for him to know that hard work, mentoring and having that early investment from a parent can allow him to accomplish whatever he’s passionate about. Bottom line is my son is my everything. He has a big heart and his light shines; he is a spitting image of me, inside and out.” —Yazid Britt

Isiah and Yazid Britt

“The greatest thing I ever learned from my father was resiliency. My dad would always say that the system was never meant for our people to be successful, and that’s why he was successful. He was always told that because he was dyslexic, black and not college educated, that he would never amount to anything. But instead he was motivated by proving to himself and to others that who he was today did not determine who he was going to be. I am inspired and grateful for the life lessons my dad has taught me over the years in self-confidence and the power of people skills. He would always say, ‘Your mom will teach you academics, but I will teach you people skills ­because knowing people is how you become a success.’ And this has proven to be true! Everyone loves my father. He has created many successful businesses, been a life coach and mentor to young moguls, and even served time in the military. I’m proud to be his daughter, his friend, and no. 1 fan.” —Rachel Wilson

Rachel Wilson and father

“The biggest thing my father has taught me is to be true to yourself and not to cheat things in life. To succeed at something while shortcutting your way there won’t, and shouldn’t, mean as much as staying true to your path and doing the work it takes to get there. My father is the person who shaped my outlook on the world, morality, inspiration and ultimately the type of man I have become today. While I didn’t see it or appreciate it as a kid, I realize now that growing up with a father who was present, caring and wanted to help you succeed is ever more rare today, and I should have cherished it more.” —Bryce Thompson

Bryce Thompson and dad

For more touching stories on the beauty of fatherhood, watch this video featuring the dads of REVOLT:

Real Talk | REVOLT dads share fatherhood memories