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Raising the 'Bar' with Dad's Outlook

Published:Sunday | June 16, 2019 | 12:28 AMKrysta Anderson - Gleaner Writer
Dad's Outlook panelists (from left) Stevie Barnett, (SME Manager and Team Lead at Sagicor Bank); Wayne Marshall (Recording Artiste); David Morrison (Senior Blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica); Teino Evans (The Gleaner's Enterprise Editor - Lifestyle); and Marlon Campbell (Host).
Dad's Outlook panelists (from left) Stevie Barnett, (SME Manager and Team Lead at Sagicor Bank); Wayne Marshall (Recording Artiste); David Morrison (Senior Blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica); Teino Evans (The Gleaner's Enterprise Editor - Lifestyle); and Marlon Campbell (Host).

“Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” This quote, articulated by a former American professional baseball third baseman, Wade Boggs, echoed in sincere sentiments at the recently staged Father’s Day forum: Dad’s Outlook.

Initiated by The Gleaner's Outlook Magazine in association with J Wray and Nephew and Sagicor Bank, exciting conversations brewed by a panel of dedicated dads @twentythree, Dominica Drive in New Kingston on Thursday afternoon. The Facebook family were invited to tune in to the live stream for more insight into all things Daddy.

Sitting down to a sophisticated chic design by M Style, Master of Ceremonies for the formal proceedings, Marlon Campbell, lauded the featured fathers for being amazing paternal figures in their children’s lives. With the exception of SME manager and team lead at Sagicor Bank, Stevie Barnett, who sought to right the wrongs of abandonment by his own father, by being there for his sons, three of the four panelists explained that they were simply following in the inspiring footsteps of their own dads. And all agreed that their relationships with their fathers, both positive and negative, taught them how to be even better dads to their princes, and princess.

Other areas up for riveting discussion included dealing with finances, stories of their ‘firsts’ as new dads, choosing the right mothers for their children and lessons learned as fathers. When it came to most memorable moments, Recording Artiste Wayne Marshall, shared that he cannot forget when he was going to perform at a Shaggy and Friends concert, and his son Gio, asked if he was going to perform his song ‘Stupid Money’ with him. The dad in him, was a bit hesitant to do this in front of at least 10,000 people but he took a chance. To his surprise, Gio did well and it became the greatest bonding moment. A difficult time came when Gio moved to the United States, it left a gap that no one could fill, but he was soon reunited with him.

Senior Blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica, David Morrison, said when he came home from work and his son hugged him by the leg and said he loved him, there was no greater feeling.

Barnett, on the same wavelength, cherished the first time his son said 'Da Da', which was his first word.

Teino Evans, enterprise editor for the Lifestyle Desk at Gleaner Company Media Limited, had to take the high road and break down to his then two-year-old daughter, that he and her mother split and why things couldn't go back to the way they were.

In between topics, the men of the hour were invited to enjoy the Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 year old rum, and were later presented with their very own bottle by the lovely Alison Moss-Solomon, brand communications manager of J Wray and Nephew Limited. And they also indulged in the savoury and decadently sweet delight, catered by Ashebre, alongside smooth mixes from mixologist Dajorn Commock.

With high hopes that the title ‘deadbeat dad’ becomes extinct, we salute the fathers of Dad's Outlook, for raising the bar. Cheers!

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com