Episode 88: On Purpose and Fatherhood with Lamar Henderson Jr.

You're in for a treat folks! This episode features the first part of our conversation with Lamar Henderson Jr.. Lamar is an author, keynote speaker, community activist and human services advocate, who provides trainings throughout the state for UC Davis and Fresno State University, while also holding down his day job as a Family Services Supervisor for Merced County’s Nationally recognized All Dad’s Matter program. You'll hear Lamar's purpose-driven journey to Human Services and his subsequent 20 years of creating impact in his community working with those in need. You'll also experience the connection Lamar and Tiff have, as they discuss their growth and reflect on the leadership they experienced while both working for Merced County. Lamar's official bio is below.Lamar Henderson Jr. is a passionate and widely respected Family Services Supervisor for Merced County Human Services Agency’s All Dads Matter program. For more than 20 years, Lamar has been a driving force in fatherhood advocacy—equipping dads with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in their parenting journey. His leadership has helped shape a countywide model for father engagement that continues to inspire positive outcomes across communities.Lamar’s impact extends far beyond supervision. As a seasoned parenting educator, he facilitates evidence-based programs including Nurturing Parenting, Positive Discipline, and Boot Camp for New Dads. His work is grounded in principles of equity, trauma-informed care, and a core belief in the transformative power of father involvement.A deeply engaged community leader, Lamar has served for 13 years as Chair of the Merced County Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission and continues to serve on several nonprofit boards, including Sacred Rock: Education Nature’s Way and the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. He is also a certified trainer in ACE Overcomers and Helping Men Recover, and an alumnus of Fresno State’s Foundations of Infant Mental Health training.Lamar’s influence stretches throughout California and beyond. He is a dynamic trainer for both UC Davis’s School of Human Services and Fresno State’s Central California Training Academy, delivering workshops on Working with Fathers in Child Welfare, Employee Development, and Anti-Racist Practice. Nationally, his voice has been heard as a featured panelist with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and as co-author of the peer-reviewed article, Supporting Youth to Experience the Benefits of Father Involvement, published in The Report on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Youth.Lamar has been invited to speak at numerous state and national conferences, including delivering the keynote at the San Luis Obispo Parent Partner Conference and presenting at the Stanislaus County Our Story Conference in 2017. His tireless dedication has been recognized with multiple awards, including the inaugural Hands on Hero Award, the 2012 President’s Award for Service, and the 2025 Legacy Ball Award, honoring a lifetime of commitment to families and community transformation.Above all, Lamar is a proud father to two accomplished daughters, ages 35 and 27, and a loving “Papa” to his 11-year-old granddaughter, affectionately known as “Tita.” He raised his family alongside his beloved wife of 33 years, Virginia, until her passing in December 2024—a partnership he honors with deep gratitude every day.Lamar Henderson Jr. brings both lived experience and professional expertise to every room he enters, leaving a lasting impression as a changemaker, mentor, and steadfast advocate for fathers, families, and community well-being.