Phil Roundtree Will Keynote The 16th Annual Platinum Dads Event

Princeton, NJ—Affectionately known to his friends and colleagues as “Phil,” Phillip J. Roundtree, the CEO and Founder of Quadefy LLC will provide the keynote address at this year’s 16th Annual Platinum Dads event hosted by The Father Center of New Jersey. Mr. Roundtree is a dynamic Scholar-Activist who has been a practicing social worker since 2005. Recognizing society’s lack of emphasis on Black mental health, he’s evolved into a staunch mental health advocate for marginalized and underrepresented communities, using his personal and professional experiences to promote individual and community resilience.

Phil is a down-to-earth communicator and his humbleness is apparent the first time you meet him. When asked to supply a photograph for this article, he urged me to showcase other fathers and stated “I think it's a perfect occasion to celebrate more fathers as they're the reason I even have this opportunity.”

Recognized as a 2018 Black Enterprise magazine "B.E. Modern Man" honoree and selected as a TedxTalk speaker, whose idea worth spreading “Black Mental Health Matters” is garnering rave reviews, Phil is also the Host of “Rhetorically Speaking,” a live daily digital show on Youtube. As an evolving influencer in the field of fatherhood, he also leads the weekly podcast, #YouGoodMan? A Men’s Wellness Podcast on all streaming platforms. His message for Platinum Dads, which is set to take place virtually, will be crafted specifically and exclusively for the event audience with his own singular recipe of motivation and authenticity.

Platinum Dads will take place safely and virtually as a web broadcast and will stream live from The Father Center's new headquarters located at 1 West Street in Trenton on the day before Father’s Day in June 19, 2021 morning from 10AM to 11AM EST. More event elements will be announced in the coming weeks as they develop. Sponsorships are available for individuals and companies wanting to support and get exposure through one of New Jersey's "feel good" events of the year. You may reach out to Karen Andrade-Mims, Executive Director, to request a sponsor packet at kandrade-mims@thefathercenter.org.

The following men will be honored at the 2021 Platinum Dads event: Christopher R. Kinkade, Mayor Hemant Marathe, Dr. Jay Edward Purnsley, Kevin Leahy, William (Bill) Davis, Bilal Floyd, and Frank Lucchesi.

Frank J. Lucchesi, Senior Regional Public Affairs Manager of Public Service Electric & Gas (PSEG) will be revered this year as a Platinum Dad. With his long list of community service work, Frank was a shoe-in for this honor. In addition to other philanthropic support, Frank is currently a Commissioner and Vice Chairman serving on the board of the Mercer County Improvement Authority. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Greater Trenton, the Hamilton Area YMCA, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Central New Jersey Junior Achievement and is a Board of Trustee for New Jersey State Police Memorial Foundation. “Family Above All” is an important motto for Frank, so much so that all of his family members have that saying as a tattoo! Frank stated, “Family means everything to me but being a good dad is so much more than just throwing around a baseball or kicking a soccer ball. A good dad provides direction and possesses many different qualities that help their children grow and thrive. From the challenges fathers face today to resources that help improve the family unit, the Father Center of NJ is an amazing organization that provides these tools to help Fathers in need accomplish this.”

Ron Davis, Director of Diversity and Community Development at Parx Casino and a past Platinum Dads Awardee said, “I have tremendous gratitude for receiving this honor with my family present. What a great organization that is much needed today in this world of turmoil.”

Several local businesses and donors have already pledged their support and have invested in ensuring this event is successful. “It was an honor and one of my proudest moments as a father when I was acknowledged as a Platinum Dad. To have been recognized, along with other fathers, by The Father Center that does so much to support men in meeting their responsibilities of being a father was very meaningful to me,” stated John Cassimatis, honored in 2014 as a Platinum Dad.

Sponsors of Platinum Dads enjoy free access to Phillip Roundtree’s keynote presentation, their company logo or family name listed on the agency’s website and on the webcam screen during the event. Some sponsor levels include the opportunity to show a PSA or video commercial. Sponsors to date include NJM Insurance Group, PSEG, David and Allison Howe in honor of John Howe and Jeffrey Raffel, Alexandra Radbil & Stephen Fitzpatrick, Colon Cancer Foundation, Parx Casino, We Make, Autism At Work, IntoBalance Accounting, FisherBroyles, LLP, Calvin Thomas of Renewing the Mind, LLC, and LodeStar Consulting, John & Dorothy Cassimatis, New Century Financial Group in Princeton and Bryan Evans. For more information about The Father Center of NJ or to purchase tickets or a sponsorship, visit The Father Center’s website.