Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincent White.
Hi Vincent, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a South Richmond, Virginia native, and I carry a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mass Communications, a Master’s in Education, and an Executive Management Certificate in Business Management.
I have a strong devotion to empowering young people and families into permanency, raising awareness on the plights of fatherlessness, and fighting for fatherhood rights.
A few accolades that I’ve received over the last few years.
• 2016 My Brother’s Keeper Manny Award winner
• 2016 Certified as a fatherhood Facilitator at Richmond Dept. of Social Services
• 2017 Richmond’s “Hometown Hero” by the prestigious law firm Allen, Allen, & Allen.
• 2017 Graduate of the Richmond Christian Leadership Initiative.
• 2018 Chesterfield Education Foundation & Chesterfield County Public Schools BRAVO awards winner
• 2018 Real Male Man Award by LOE Media
• 2019 Certified as a Rites of Passage Facilitator through the Henrico Partnership for Family and Community Engagement
• 2019 Virginia Favorite Father’s Award winner by the VIRGINIA Family & Fatherhood Initiative
From the years 2012-2015, I had a best-selling memoir and traveling stage play entitled, “Finding Chris, My Father” which shares a story that gives a very candid and emotionally compelling look at the issues of fatherhood, bullying, and domestic violence. It is my personal story. The stage play has been performed at the likes of Virginia State University, the Henrico theatre, and the Children’s theater, amongst many. It has also been featured on ABC in New York, CBS, NBC, ABC and lectured upon at various universities across the United States.
Professionally, I am a social worker, where I serve as a Home Study Specialist working in therapeutic foster care. Additionally, I have an extensive history working in workforce development, child support, and other related areas. I’m also a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) in the county of Henrico, Virginia,
Socially, I am a maverick, and I serve my community in my own unconventional way. I do so by investing in socially impactful black businesses, hosting/facilitating various subject-based community events, serving as a national motivational speaker; and sit on a non-profit board that serves underserved people of color between the ages of 13-18.
Most importantly, I’m raising my teenage son full-time.
What I do in a nutshell: “I help others through using my own life experiences, and go where I can be the most impactful…with the hope that the work that I do can galvanize the people.”
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Everything that I do has been birthed from struggle and the endurance built from overcoming hurdles. My struggle began early on in my life, which was the absenteeism of the father figure in my life. That created the lasting effects of the “father wound”; which is the wound that comes from growing up having to deal with fatherlessness (and in addition, an incarcerated father figure). With that said, the longest-lasting struggle has been the ongoing legal and custody battle over my son. Even though legally there has been a majority of all victories in the courtroom, the lasting effects of this 14yr tug-o-war have been very damaging to my son and me on an emotional and psychological level. Another struggle that I’ve had to endure was back in the year 2016, where I lost my uncle that summer, lost my job in September, lost my vehicle in November, and the most devastating thing to happen was on 11/6/2016 …I lost my grandmother. She was my rock, and we were extremely close. While feeling like I was stuck in a rut throughout the remainder of that year, I made sure to live life to the fullest, tap into my God-given gifts, and begin applying and living by three of my favorite scriptures:
-Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gifts make room for him and bring him before the great.”
-Psalms 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way.”
-James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall int various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
Everything ended up turning around in 2017 and has continued to progress forward throughout the years heading into 2022 where I plan to continue living my best life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a creative, I’ve done the most exploring through my writing skills and the ability to relate to people as I speak publicly and privately. I’ve impacted thousands of lives with my book “Finding Chris, My Father”, speaking and sharing my life story all across the world, and encouraging many to either seek their father’s presence…or take some ownership in the process.
I am most known for being a fatherhood advocate, advocating for equitable fatherhood rights, and for my transparency with regard to my journey. I am also a connector and continue to connect like-minded individuals together to maximize their potential synergy.
What I am most proud of is when I gained full custody of my son after a very lengthy trial that had been going on for years. Even after that, it was appealed and contested several times, and over five different judges all agreed with the decision. It showed me that the gone are the days where the courts just automatically rule in the favor of the mother. The father’s relevance and importance are now becoming more recognizable (though the fight continues). I am also most proud of all of the lives that I’ve been fortunate enough to impact.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Nothing is impossible. Live your truth, be authentic, and don’t think that you have to take the route that others have or what’s suggested to you. Be original, and let your creative juices flow!
Another piece of advice is to find yourself some wise elders that you can go to for advice, that can help guide you, and make it so that you make fewer mistakes.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Chris-Father-Vincent-Ellis/dp/0615578853
- Instagram: @Vincentelliswhite
- Facebook: vincentelliswhite
- Twitter: @vinceelliswhite
- Youtube: vincent ellis white
Image Credits
Bloom Photography
Life’s Interpretation
V.E.W. Enterprises
