On Monday morning, after dropping their children off for the first day of school, a group of South Side fathers converged at Pressbox Chicago, 47 W. Polk St., for a brunch‑style event dubbed “Drinks After Drop‑off” (DAD). The gathering, organized by attorney and Gallery Guichard co‑owner Stephen Mitchell, was intended to give fathers a brief respite from the back‑to‑school hustle and an opportunity to connect with one another.
Origins and turnout
Mitchell explained that the idea for a fathers‑only meet‑up had been percolating for years, but finding the right venue proved crucial. Pressbox Chicago’s co‑owner, Kenny Johnson, offered the newly opened space for the occasion. Online promotion generated modest interest, yet the actual turnout exceeded expectations: roughly 100 men cycled through the venue from early morning until after lunch.
Atmosphere and participants
The mood was warm and convivial. Attendees enjoyed draft beers, pub fare, and the sounds of ESPN on the venue’s widescreen televisions. Fathers represented every stage of the parenting journey—from frazzled kindergartener parents to confident middle‑ and high‑school dads, and even a few men whose children are in college or beyond.
Mitchell, who spent the summer overseeing robotics competitions, sports tournaments, and family vacations, emphasized the importance of recognizing committed, involved fathers. He and friend Michael Birchett, who arrived after dropping off his kindergartener and second‑grader at Bronzeville Classical School, highlighted the need for spaces where Black men can be present and supportive.
Voices from the crowd
“These are familiar faces. These are new faces. These Black men are involved. They’re not absentee dads. They pour into their children and into the community,” Birchett said, noting that he started a walking group for Bronzeville dads last summer.
Charles Barron, whose children attend Kenwood Academy, described the gathering as meaningful because it brought together fathers who might otherwise have few opportunities to connect. He shared that his family’s summer was packed with a Florida trip and basketball training for his son, and that the first day of school brought a mix of anticipation and worry as his son entered ninth grade and his daughter began junior high.
“Even though it’s kind of a hangout, it’s also about developing relationships and having that community, creating an environment where you feel supported,” Barron added.
Further down the bar, Beverly dad Marc Allen, who dropped his two grade‑schoolers at Old St. Mary’s in the South Loop, reflected on the value of paternal fellowship. “I’m real big on dads just being around each other and supporting each other because we all have our own battles. So, however we can help or communicate with each other to deal with the kids, deal with our wives… it’s good to have support,” he said.
Looking ahead
When asked if “DAD” will return next year, Mitchell affirmed that the plan is to make it an annual tradition, providing a consistent space for fathers to recharge and strengthen community bonds as the school year progresses.
The event underscores a broader trend of grassroots, father‑focused gatherings that aim to reinforce family stability, parental involvement, and neighborhood cohesion—values that resonate deeply within the Bronzeville community.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
