Name: Owen "Blakka" Ellis

Age: 57

Occupation:  Writer, Educator, Actor 
 
How many children do you have? 

Five or more.

How old were you when you first became a father?

 21

How would you rank your relationship with your father?

3 out of 5.

Briefly describe the relationship with your father.

My father was not a strong, stable feature in my early life. I was raised by my mother's sister with no emotional or economic support from my father. And I had no real father-son relationship during the formative years when it was needed. I sought to exercise forgiveness and forge friendship so developed something akin to a mutually respectful relationship in my adult years. I'm pleased and proud that I was able to play a vital role in ensuring he got a good send-off when he made his transition from this life.

How has this shaped the relationship with your children?

I try hard do for my children, everything my father failed to do for me. I want to be there for them and leave them a legacy on which they can build. My father never ever attended a PTA meeting for example, but I became a PTA president.

What do you enjoy the most about being a dad?

Watching my sons grow into educated, expressive, independent men and establish their own unique identity.