FATHER!

By Cheryl Smith
Texas Metro News

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Young men carry on naming tradition

There are reasons to celebrate Black fathers, according to numerous studies that dispel the negativity of other reports that point out the plight of the Black family because of missing fathers.

When you put into perspective the many success stories coming from single-parent households, the 50% of Black and 25% of Hispanic children living with only one parent that was cited by the Annie E. Casey Foundation using U.S. Census Bureau data, doesn’t sound so gloomy.

While Black fathers are more than twice as likely to live apart from their children, the CDC reports that Black dads—whether they live with their children, or not— are more actively involved in their children’s lives than their counterparts of other races.

So while television and radio audiences are deluged with paternity test shows that showcase high numbers of children who don’t know their biological fathers and many fathers who don’t know they have children walking on this earth; there are those wonderful stories of families establishing tradition, building generational wealth and developing a strong family foundation.

Louis Lemuel Rainey, IV is the son of Tracy and Louis Lemuel Rainey, III.

Fondly known as “Lil Lou” or “LL,” he knows where he came from and he has a sense of pride knowing that before him there was Senior, Junior, and Big Lou.

“I like it,” said LL, adding that he “rocks the number 4” wherever he goes. “It’s unique. Not many people go to the 4th!”

So whether he’s playing basketball or participating in a program where he has to pick a number, he’s calling out “four.”

A Class of 2024 graduate of the Marvin E. Robinson School of Business & Management at Townview Magnet Center in Dallas, TX, he participated in the Black Student Union, DECA, the intramural basketball club, and as an ASP Ambassador championing college readiness.

Louis was a member of the National Honor Society and served as the 2023-2024 SBM Senior Class President.

He is a student scholar, servant leader, and athlete who also works with his family business, The Pelican House Restaurants and attends Concord Church.

This fall, LL heads to Florida A&M University, majoring in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity and entrepreneurship. He applied to more than 20 schools and received acceptance letters and scholarships from all.

Andrew Whigham, IV just graduated from the University of Southern California with a M.S. Degree in Financial Engineering and he’s about to move to Milwaukee where he will work for G.E. Healthcare. The graduate of St. Mark’s School of Texas received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami.

The son of Andrew Whigham, III and Dr. Deardra Whigham; he has amassed an impressive portfolio and is excited about his future.

For Andrew, or “Drew,” carrying on the Whigham name is equally a privilege and responsibility and he takes neither lightly.

“I’ve always embraced the name and never considered anything else,” he said.

With internships at the Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Edwards Lifesciences, Univ of Miami Biomedical Measurements Lab, and Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has put in the work to be successful.

While heavenly engrossed in STEM work, the member of St, Luke “Community” United Methodist Church participated in the Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program (founded by St. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas), the National Society of of Black Engineers and achieved Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification. Like his father, he was also initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Clearly both young men are achieving greatness and making their families proud. About 67% of Black children are born into a single parent household.

The National Center for Fathering reports that 57.6 of Black Children are living absent their biological fathers.

Still you have 30% of men who are “Not the father,” according to DNA test records.

So for a lot of children who will never know their fathers, it can be very special for those who can link themselves to several and keep the link going.

For both young men, holding down a name for four generations is important.

LL says he definitely plans to continue the legacy with a Louis V, and Drew, while focused on his career, says if given the opportunity, he will “most likely” have an Andrew V.