The official Instagram page of “Poppa’s House” had reached about 58,300 followers by the time news broke that CBS had made the decision to terminate the television series. Once again, a show that dared to center a loving, present and involved Black father has been quietly pulled from the air. “Poppa’s House,” the CBS sitcom starring real-life father and son Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., has been canceled after just one season — taking with it one of the few mainstream portrayals of multigenerational Black fatherhood on television today.

Its cancellation isn’t just about low ratings or shifting network priorities. It’s part of a troubling pattern. Shows that depict Black men as emotionally engaged, supportive parents and family anchors often struggle to survive. And when they vanish, so too do the rare images that counter the tired, false stereotypes of Black fathers as absent, deadbeat or disposable.

This matters. Media doesn’t just reflect culture — it shapes it. While art imitates life, it also informs public perception and policy. Despite what we often see on screen, research consistently shows that Black fathers are deeply involved in the lives of their children, often outpacing fathers of other racial backgrounds in caregiving and day-to-day parenting — regardless of whether they live in the same household.

By canceling “Poppa’s House,” television executives didn’t just end a show, they reinforced a void. A void where affirming stories about Black men and their families should be. And that absence on screen makes it all the more important to recognize the presence of Black fathers in real life.

Father’s Day is often marked by socks, ties and heartfelt cards — but this year, let’s pause to honor the Black men who show up and show out for their children. Whether resident or non-resident, biological or chosen, these fathers play vital roles in the lives of Black children, despite the many systemic challenges they face.

To understand this, we need a brief look at history. During American chattel slavery, Black fatherhood was deliberately disrupted. Enslaved Black men were denied legal recognition as fathers, yet oral histories from the formerly enslaved remind us that they still fought to protect, nurture and remain connected to their children. In a 2020 study, scholars analyzed interviews with formerly enslaved people from the Federal Writers’ Project and found that, in some cases, children on plantations were forbidden from using the word “father” and were instead forced to say “daddy” when referring to their own fathers. And yet, even within a brutal system, Black men embraced fatherhood with resilience and care.

This legacy of love continued through Jim Crow, the War on Drugs, mass incarceration, and welfare policies that often penalized male presence in the home. Despite it all, Black fathers continued to raise, mentor and guide.

Sometimes, those father figures were uncles, pastors, barbers, or that older guy from the block. And sometimes, they were the Black TV dads we invited into our homes: Bernie Mac, Uncle Phil, James Evans, Oscar Proud, or whomever you preferred to share a laugh with, gain wisdom from, or even admire. These characters did more than entertain — they offered powerful representations of fatherhood that resonated with real-life experience.

In many of these shows and films, there’s one moment that stands out: The Talk. This conversation, passed down through generations, is a rite of passage in Black families. Shows like “Black-ish,” “Queen Sugar,” and “UnPrisoned” depict Black fathers navigating these conversations with tenderness and urgency. It’s not about birds and bees, but about how to survive in a world where racism, danger and misunderstanding can cost Black lives.

However, this Father’s Day, let’s honor the fathers who have those talks, the ones who pull their kids aside to offer wisdom, protection, and love in a world that does not always return it. Let’s celebrate the dads who show up, stand tall and speak truth. Let’s recognize the power of Black fatherhood, both scripted and unscripted, as a legacy of love, resilience and presence that deserves to be seen, respected and remembered.

Conial Caldwell Jr. is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His research focuses on the dynamics of fatherhood and the socio-cultural factors that influence the well-being of Black fathers and family relationships. Alvin Thomas is an associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Thomas is a clinical psychologist who studies fatherhood and adolescent outcomes.