Fathers play an important role in their children’s lives, and Selma City Schools highlighted the impact men have on their children Wednesday with its second annual “Men 2 Men Power Luncheon.”

Dozens of dads picked their kids up from schools across the city and took part in the luncheon at Selma High School.

“To see fathers out here with their daughters and their sons sharing in a lunch is just awesome, it is just awesome,“ said Henry Hicks, president of the Selma City School Board. “This is awesome when you can see this many men come together.”

The luncheon was started last year as a way to highlight the importance of men in children’s lives and the role they play in helping them grow.

“Having a strong father figure is so critical to the well-being of a child,” said Dr. Angela Mangum, superintendent of Selma City Schools.

“Personally, I have two sons, and I know that I did all I could for my children as a mother, having that nurturing role and wanting the best for them, but having a man in their lives made a pivotal difference in their lives and in learning what it takes to be successful as a man in the world.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 24.7 million children live their lives without the presence of their father, and it is one of the largest social issues in America.

“I had no father figure in my life [growing up], so I made a lot of mistakes if I would have had a positive influence or someone to tell me don’t do that, there’s a better way,” said Ralph Pruitt, who brought two young men with him to the luncheon.

“Their father is my best friend, but he was gone, and I brought these two young men. They’re like my sons. I believe in the old adage, it takes village to raise a child. If they know somebody cares about them and loves them, it gives them a better opportunity.”

Mangum said the luncheon epitomizes what the school system is trying to do, which is to get everyone behind the students to encourage them and help them along their journey to becoming adults.

“When the men come out to show that strong leadership, whether it be from a male to a male student of from a female student to a male, that perspective is critical,” Mangum said. “I think that each important family member plays a role in the success of a family and a child.”

Whether it is a father, a grandfather or someone a child looks up to, Mangum said men serve as important role models.

“I’ve met grandfathers, I’ve met uncles, I’ve met ministers, I’ve met fathers and I’ve seen board members,” Mangum said with a smile.

“When everybody comes out and surrounds children and makes a point that as men they are going come together and support our children … it doesn’t get any better than that.”