50 Fathers
Fortifying the Foundation of Families
What changes when fathers are recognized, supported and invested in as essential assets to families and communities?
The Initiative
A Case Study and Documentary Series About Modern Fatherhood.
50 Fathers is a POLIS Institute case study and documentary series exploring the realities of modern fatherhood through the voices of fathers themselves.
What began with the question “Where are the fathers?” has brought together 50 fathers from across Central Florida to share their experiences, challenge assumptions, and help us better understand the role fathers play in strengthening families and communities.
Real Conversations
Honest dialogue around fatherhood, challenges, growth, and purpose.
Real Fathers
Diverse fathers sharing their lived experiences across Central Florida.
Real Stories
Powerful storytelling that informs, inspires and drives change.
Real Impact
Strengthening fathers, families and communities for generations.
Built With Fathers
This isn’t simply a documentary about fathers. We’re building it with them.
Participating fathers gather in ongoing Writers’ Rooms to share their experiences, identify themes, shape the documentary, and help determine which questions deserve deeper research.
Together, we’re exploring the journey from the moment a man becomes a father through the responsibility, sacrifice, relationships, fears, triumphs, mistakes, growth, and eventual letting go that come with being Dad.
Where We Are
50 Fathers Registered
Founding Fathers Council Actively Shaping the First Episode
Deep, Honest and Inspiring Conversations Already Underway
Partnerships Forming and Support Growing Across Central Florida
The Docuseries
Six Episodes, Shaped in the Writers’ Room.
Episode One
Hey Dad
When did you become a father?
Not simply when your child was born. When your heart changed. When your priorities shifted. When someone else’s life became more important than your own.
Hey Dad explores the difference between becoming a father and becoming Dad, including a question many fathers quietly wrestle with:
Am I enough?
The pilot is scheduled to premiere in December 2026, followed by additional episodes exploring the journey of fatherhood.
Episode Two
Weighted Crown
Why does fatherhood feel so heavy? This episode explores the responsibility, sacrifice, pressure, and the invisible weight many fathers carry.
Episode Three and beyond
Future Episodes
Future episodes will explore themes such as identity, relationships, healing, grief, legacy, and the evolving role of fathers in today’s world. The Writers’ Room will help shape every episode.
Themes Already Emerging From the Writers’ Room
From Stories to Impact
50 Fathers Is Also a Case Study.
POLIS is examining impact for fathers, for the public and for the systems that serve families.
Fathers
Does being heard, connected, and intentionally engaged strengthen fathers themselves?
Public
Does hearing fathers’ stories change how people understand and value fatherhood?
Systems
Can what fathers teach us help funders, government, churches, and family-serving organizations make better decisions about supporting fathers and families?
Our findings will inform a Case Study, Findings Report, and Recommendations Brief designed to turn lived experience into useful community intelligence.
The Deliverables
6-Episode Docuseries
Accompanying Case Study
Community Screenings & Dialogues
Resource Guide for Fathers & Families
Outcomes & Measurement Framework
Our Purpose, Our Plan, Our Arc.
The full framework covering how the Writers’ Room works, how each episode is developed, and where the initiative is heading.
How Each Episode Is Made
Step 1
Writers’ Room
We meet every other Monday to explore one aspect of fatherhood and uncover authentic stories and themes.
Step 2
Reflection
Each father completes a short reflection after each session to help identify key moments, ideas, and questions.
Step 3
Episode Development
POLIS organizes the themes into a working outline for the episode.
Step 4
Review & Refinement
We review the outline together, fill in gaps, and strengthen the story.
Step 5
Production
Once the episode is finalized, we film interviews and capture supporting footage.
Step 6
Release & Community Conversation
The episode is shared with the community and becomes the catalyst for dialogue, education, and action.
The Creative Voice
Shawn Welcome
Public Ambassador & Creative Fellow
Award-winning spoken word artist and former Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome is creating an original piece inspired by the lived experiences of the fathers.
The poem will unfold throughout the docuseries, providing a creative and emotional thread connecting the journey from one episode to the next.
What’s Next?
50 Fathers Begins in Central Florida, but We Believe What We’re Learning Can Reach Much Further.
Our vision is to grow the initiative beyond the documentary through research, community conversations, Father Ambassadors, resources, media, partnerships, and continued opportunities for fathers to be heard.
The Bigger Vision
Join the movement
Help Us Strengthen the Investment in Fathers.
Help us tell these stories. Change lives. Strengthen our community.
Partnership opportunity
Invest in Fathers.
We are seeking support to bring this important initiative to life. To learn more about how you can support 50 Fathers, let’s connect.
50 Fathers
Listen. Learn. Build. Lead.