CHICAGO - One million fathers and other men will take children to school on the first day of the 2005 - 2006 school year. Last year, men from 25 cities participated in the Million Father March. This year, scores of men from 100 cities nationwide -- including Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles -- are expected to participate.

"A father who actively participates in the educational and social development life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable!" says Phillip Jackson, Executive Director of The Black Star Project, which promoted the first March last year.

"Research shows that children whose fathers take active roles in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers speak and listen to their children regularly and are active in their lives. A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to strong family structures. Strong family structures produce children who are more centered, academically proficient and socially developed and are a valuable asset to their communities," says Jackson.

Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, step-fathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family will participate in the March. Men and women of all races are encouraged to participate.

The Million Father March 2005 will post up to 100 Black men near the front door of schools with sizeable Black student populations, creating an honor guard of strong, positive men supporting all children at each school, which will include: elementary and high schools; colleges and universities; pre-schools, nursery schools, and Headstart programs; public, private, parochial and religious schools; urban, suburban and rural schools.

Since schools start on different days, this will be a rolling event that will take place on the first day of the school year in cities and towns across America between August 8, 2005 and October 1, 2005. Marches will be registered and coordinated with The Black Star Project's Million Father March Central
headquarters in Chicago (http://www.blackstarproject.org).