
Howery, father to three children and four stepdaughters, revealed on the “Father Noir” panel that he reached out to Hardrict, father of 13-year-old Cree and 6-year-old Cairo, last year when he learned about Hardrict’s divorce from former wife Tia Mowry. The two Chicago natives were colleagues, but one conversation about life and fatherhood in a sports bar led to them becoming close friends.
“I knew he was going through some things and I just wanted to reach out to another dad and another brother,” Howery shared. “We met at one of the little sports bars I like to go to and we just sat there and talked. One of the things I love about talking with [Cory], I love how much he loves his children. I think that’s a beautiful thing [that] we don’t talk about enough. No matter what us adults are going through, we got to consider how they’re [the children] seeing that. I just thought it was beautiful, just for Black men [to talk to one another].”
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Hardrict opened up about being a “long distance dad” following his divorce, sharing that he is now “more present” with his children after moving out of the family home because he “has to be.” The “All American: Homecoming” actor added that he lives just five minutes from his children and makes sure to do “extra” parenting activities with them, like supporting Cree’s NBA dreams.
“My walk every day in life is to represent my children in how I conduct myself and what I say,” Hardrict said. “I always think about their future. I don’t live in the moment because my kids, they’re just everything to me. If y’all know what that means. So I always think long-term of what’s going to benefit them, what’s going to help them, what’s going to protect them. So that’s why I am what I am. I do it all for my children.”
Black men are often taught to be strong and face challenging tasks head on, but Howery, Hardrict and Oliver shared that seeking out brotherhood within your fatherhood journey is one of the most important aspects of raising a family. The men’s vulnerability on the panel continued when Howery opened up about how his 2015 divorce impacted his two youngest children.
The comedian shared that when he initially told his oldest daughter and son that he was expecting a child with a woman who was not their mother, they struggled to accept it. It was a teaching moment that showed him that fatherhood is a “beautiful” journey.
“I’ve been through a divorce and that was one of the realest conversations I had to have with my kids at an early age,” Howery said. “I got a 7-year-old [son]. So when the 7-year-old came up and I had to have a real conversation with my [older] kids, it was kind of tough because it was the first time I think they ever looked at me [and] I saw disappointment in their face. I said [to my daughter], ‘Hey, I’m not perfect.’’ That’s actually what started us on this cool journey we’ve been on since then, where they became my best friends.”
“I love being a dad. The dad life is real and it’s been very fun. Even just stepping into this stepfather role,” Howery continued, referencing his four stepdaughters. “Even just the other day — now we’re all in one home — and I had a real heart-to-heart with the girls and it was something I’ve been praying about and asking God about. I just asked them, ‘What are the expectations of me?’ Sometimes you also want to let kids know you’re not just putting up with them, [because] you love their mama. It’s like, ‘No, I love y’all too.’”
Teaching moments within fatherhood aren’t limited to major life lessons, however. Hardrict dished on a moment that many fathers can relate to — styling your daughter’s hair. In a laugh-out-loud conversation, Hardrict chatted about how he had to quickly learn how to lay down Cairo’s edges before the panel on Saturday after her bonnet fell off during her sleep.
“I love everything about being a dad,” Hardrict gushed. “It’s funny, this morning I was struggling with trying to figure out my daughter’s hair. Her bonnet fell off right in the middle of the night. I had my boy cut my hair this morning. Kyle, who’s a friend of ours [and a] barber. He came through and he helped me try to get the gel to slick the thing down on my daughter. I didn’t know where to start to be honest, but I said it’s going to be pictures there today.”
“But that’s what dads do, by any means necessary. We was trying to figure it out and her hair’s beautiful. It’s laid down, [you] wouldn’t even know it. But we did that because when I’m with my children, [it’s] hands-on. There ain’t nobody else taking care of them. It’s all me. So we may do 40 things in one day. I try to make them weekends feel like it’s a lifetime.”
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