Community Highlights: Meet Joe L Roberson, Jr. of Our Fatherless Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe L Roberson, Jr.

Hi Joe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and how Our Fatherless Foundation came to pass. On Jun 1, 2017, I was abruptly awakened from a sound sleep at 3 AM. It wasn’t uncommon for me to experience a restless night’s sleep in a hotel room while on business, but this was truly different and, if I can be honest, quite terrifying. We have all had those scary dreams that cause us to awaken in a cold sweat with our hearts racing. Instead of experiencing a bizarre event while asleep, mine began seconds before an awakening, both literally and figuratively.

As I slept, I began experiencing a mild heartache, which intensified so severely that I instantly awoke and sat in bed. After sitting up, I immediately began rubbing my left pectoral chest muscle with the palm of my right hand. I thought I was experiencing a heart attack for a second, but as I processed what was occurring, I repeatedly heard the word “fatherless” in my head, bouncing back and forward like a ping pong ball. Although the sound was not audible, I heard my voice utter ‘fatherless’ internally about 8 – 10 times. Before this day, I may have encountered the term ‘fatherless’ once. But, I have gathered on several occasions that God burdens his people’s hearts, and obviously, I was experiencing something supernatural.

I reached over, turned on the light, and grabbed my laptop. I knew the Lord was grasping my attention and calling me to act on this ‘fatherless’ initiative. Once my computer booted, I began searching the term and learned a few glaring facts about fatherlessness. In 2017, 16.7 million households were led by single mothers. As I researched, the physical heartache began to subside, but now it hurts for a different reason. The more research I conducted, the more convicted I became and knew the Lord was calling me to spearhead this initiative.

Once I came to that revelation, I began searching for domain names for a business addressing fatherlessness. I searched multiple domain names with the term ‘father’. However, all options were taken, so I paused and thought, “I want the term ‘fatherless’ in the name, but how can I incorporate the name in a way that encompasses what the Lord desires from this organization?” I believed he wanted me to not only address fatherlessness but also to add accountability and ownership. I thought, “Hmm, what about “Our Fatherless”? Our denotes everyone. Fatherless is the absence of our earthly fathers, but also the absence of our heavenly father”. It was perfect, and most importantly, the domain name was available, and the business name was also available in Georgia. I purchased the domain that week and officially became a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization on Mar 1, 2018.

 We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth road? What’s that…lol. The short answer to your question is no, and I would not want it any other way. Why? Because my story of personal resilience has built character and strengthened my faith in Jesus. Years ago, I was told that if a situation or endeavor is easy, God isn’t in it. Challenges force us to develop that dependence on Him, which in turn increases our faith. As entrepreneurs, our character and faith will be tested, and both attributes were exposed and refined in 2019. On Jan 24, 2019, I attended a bi-weekly small group session. The topic of discussion was spiritual growth and comfortability. During this meeting, I silently prayed for God to make me uncomfortable. As a growth-minded individual, I desire to excel in all aspects of life, especially spiritually. It’s funny how God delays specific prayer requests while others garner INSTANT “results.”

On Monday, Jan 28, I learned two valuable lessons. 1) Be careful of what you pray for, and 2) God listens to EVERYTHING, including thoughts. I had just agreed to a significant home improvement project earlier that morning, and before we made it to the PM, I was laid off and headed back home with a box of personal items from my desk. There was absolutely no doubt as to what happened. I knew God had his hands all over that decision. What I did not know is my unemployment stint would last for the entire duration of 2019. After 10.5 months, 12 interviews, and 167 rejection letters, I received three offer letters in December 2019.

Again, character and faith play a vital role in my resilience stories. 2019 taught me patience and discernment while completely trusting God to sustain me. Regardless of my financial and employment situation, all bills were paid on time, food was always on the table, and I got to travel to four countries.

There is no such thing as coincidence God is strategic in everything He does; little did I know 2019 was a pre-cursor for 2020. In February 2020, my oldest and middle daughter gave birth to girls on the same day! In March, we were officially in the midst of a global pandemic. In July, I met the love of my life. In August, my grandmother suddenly passed. In September, a few weeks after burying my grandmother, my mother unexpectedly passed as well. In October, eleven weeks after meeting on a dating app, my wife and I eloped in Vegas. On Dec 31, we celebrated our nuptials in a ceremony witnessed by 60 of our closest friends and family. Yes, what a wild year!

Both 2019 and 2020 presented their own set of trials and tribulations. From losing employment, landing three opportunities almost 11 months later, witnessing the birth of two babies and the deaths of two matriarchs, and marrying the love of my life twice, I have come to appreciate all that happens in life. Understanding isn’t a prerequisite to obeying God. He is constantly working to prepare us for the next seasons of our lives. Regardless of the pain and love I experienced over the past few years, I will continue to keep my head up, eyes to the sky, and committed to championing fatherhood by ending fatherlessness one family at a time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Our Fatherless Foundation, Inc.?
Our Fatherless Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit startup organization located in Metro Atlanta, Georgia, for fathers and fatherless youth. Its mission is to help end the fatherless epidemic, one family at a time. We define fatherlessness as the physical, psychological, or emotional absence of a paternal being or father figure. Fatherlessness often creates an unwieldy hardship upon children and burdens their emotional well-being and healthy development.

We believe every child is born with promise, a purpose, and incredible potential. Our goal is to ensure that men and children are set up for success and for father voids to be filled with fully equipped men (fathers and father figures).

 Our mission is fulfilled through the four pillars of our C.A.R.E Initiative: Care, Accountability, Resources, and Education. This comprehensive approach nurtures families by reconnecting fathers and father figures with children, instilling accountability, delivering vital resources, and educating fathers on positive role modeling and techniques for maintaining a healthy balance. Each pillar coincides with a program designed to support our mission.

 The Foundation partners with various agencies and nonprofit organizations, legal personnel, churches,  institutions, schools, and community leaders to collaborate on providing accessible resources, support groups, training, skill-building, and legitimization advocacy. These partnerships help keep fathers and figures confident, engaged, and better equipped to serve and provide for children and families.

I am a proud father, servant leader, project manager, Ph.D. candidate, and CEO of Our Fatherless Foundation. My heart for serving fatherless youth prompted my enrollment in my Ph.D. program. My journey began at eighteen, just before graduating high school, when I learned I would become a dad. So, in preparing to be a father and growing up fatherless, a commitment to being present and active in my child(ren) life emerged.

A decade later, I gained custody of my children and became a single father of three girls. In hindsight, God prepared me for that hotel encounter while birthing a more profound desire to eradicate fatherlessness as my God-given purpose.

Leveraging my MBA and experience in corporate leadership, strategic planning, and information security to help with the operations of my nonprofit. I’m passionate about mentorship, missionary work, and the fulfillment of being a newlywed. I am crazy about my wife, family, and serving others.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
As a community leader, father, grandfather, and product of a fatherless upbringing, I understand the perils of growing up without a father and yet the power of being an active, healthy, and present dad. Also, I understand the generational and societal impact of fatherlessness. In order to garner success with such a massive initiative, the essential characteristics needed to succeed are emotional intelligence and faith. As an emotionally intelligent leader, I believe in applying self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management in all aspects of life. As a follower of Jesus Christ, my faith and relationship with my Lord and Savior are paramount. Without Him, this initiative would be too overwhelming and impossible. With Him, I wholeheartedly believe that Our Fatherless Foundation will forge a global impact by ending fatherless generational cycles and curses, one family at a time.

 Thanks again, VoyageATL, for the opportunity to share my heart and mission with the world. God Bless

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ourfatherless.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourfatherless/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourfatherless
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourfatherless
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMIeX1o9-pCqSRDCpcVfpw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/our-fatherless-foundation-lawrenceville-3?osq=our+fatherless