Stepping Up: An Inheritance

Stepping Up: An Inheritance

Cornell Black Thomas grew up without his biological father, but he never grew up without a dad. In this first installment of a two-part Father Figures conversation, Cornell reflects on the man who stepped into his life, the lessons he inherited about work, sacrifice, and responsibility, and how those lessons carried him through some of the most difficult seasons of his life—including incarceration. Years later, Cornell finds himself standing where his father once stood: helping raise children who don't share his blood but share his heart. This episode is about legacy, chosen family, and the inheritance of a father who showed up. Because sometimes fatherhood isn't passed down through bloodlines. Sometimes it's passed down through example.

The Art of Fatherhood

*Recorded 2025 This episode of Father Figures starts with a personal reflection on what it means to grow apart from something you once loved—and how fatherhood can reshape that relationship. Then I sit down with Dr. Jeremy L. George to really talk through what it looks like to balance being an artist and being a father in real life.  From touring stages to bedtime routines, Dr. George shares how fatherhood has reshaped his understanding of success, sacrifice, and legacy. This episode is for the father-artists—those learning, in real time, how to hold space for both their craft and their families. If you’ve ever tried to hold onto your passion while showing up fully for your kids, this one is for you.

I Wonder What's He Telling His Son

Recorded Oct 2025 On this episode of Father Figures, Keith is trying to figure out what it really means to father—after opening with a semi-autobiographical poem that reflects multiple father identities and a quiet moment of watching another dad “drop jewels” to his son. Through a conversation with Dr. Waldo Johnson, Vice Provost of Diversity and Inclusion and Professor of Social Work in the Crowne School at University of Chicago about social fatherhood, masculinity, and the fear of raising a Black son in a world that may one day stop seeing him as “cute,” Keith begins to uncover why community might be the key to helping fathers not figure it all out alone.

The Journey of a Thousand steps

Season 1 of Father Figures starts where it has to: with Keith Oliver telling the truth about becoming a dad — the wins, the losses, the doubts, the growth — and everything it took to reach day one of fatherhood. No highlight reel. Just the real journey. Retractions: 1. We went to Chicago Feb 2020 for auditions 2. My wife had 3 rounds of IUI (intrauterine insemination). Not as many injections and much cheaper. IVF is an injection to make as many eggs at once. IUI is making the egg release to inseminate