Why Fathers Matter: Passing on the Legacy of Leadership

The future of a community relies on responsible, accountable leadership.  The challenges facing young black men and men of color today are all too familiar. The change in that trajectory depends on the actions we take today.  Join us for a discussion with esteemed panel members, Mr. Jonathan Cartagena, Bro. Andrew Muhammad, and Dr. Andrey Bundley, who are taking action in our community to help secure the future of the next generation.

Dr. Andrey L. Bundley began his career in education as a teacher and progressed to the role of Principal for several Baltimore schools.  Dr. Bundley is presently assigned as Director Climate Support and Alternative Programs of Baltimore City Public School. His primary focus is to improve the quality of life for our youth and young adults. Thus, he was elated to have been asked and accepted the Mayor of Baltimore’s offer to become the Director of the Office of African American Male Engagement.

Dr. Andrey Bundley was raised in Baltimore, Maryland and educated in the Baltimore City Public School System.  He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Coppin State University, a Master of Education Degree in Counselor Education from Penn State University, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State University.  

Dr. Bundley is married and the proud father of one son. He is a member of Douglas Memorial Community Church.  He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Beta Chapter Coppin State University

Mr. Jonathan Cartagena is the Director of the Fatherhood Initiative Program at the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC). Prior to his current role, Mr. Cartagena has served the public for more than ten years in various roles with the Resident Services Division at HOC.  He is an experienced public speaker, social services professional, and advocate for low-income individuals and families, with a focus on serving fathers. In his work with the Fatherhood Initiative Program, Jonathan has worked with more than 560 fathers and built countless relationships with community partners throughout Montgomery County and the state of Maryland. He is a Catholic University alumnus, and a proud father and husband.

Bro. Andrew Muhammad is the Co-Founder and Vice-President of We, Our, Us. Bro. Muhammad is focused on consistent and collective action to strategically assist people, especially boys and young men, in obtaining resources to help guide them to productive pathways and move their goals forward with unified energy. We, Or, Us is building programmatic practices to serve as Connectors to guide boys and men to appropriate resources; to serve as Protectors by mobilizing young men and men to embrace prominent roles in communities as models of positive and constructive behavior; to serve as Mediators by addressing and helping reconcile conflicts between individuals; and to serve as Messengers by describing the work of the movement in the community and through various media outlets.

Bro.  Muhammad is the Owner and Founder of Baltimore Brothers Violence Interruption Corp which provides mentorship and life coaching for men. In addition, he has spent 15 years as a Scoutmaster for the Boys Scouts of America, training young black men in the inner-city on non-traditional scout’s principals, as well as nine years as the Director of Re-entry for Juvenile Justice at the Boys and Girls Club.

Bro. Muhammad has 15 years as a Manager/Director at Marriott International and is the co-owner of a family-run executive security company and the Salaam Eatery restaurant. Bro. Muhammad has been married for 20 years and has six beautiful children. He is currently the student Captain of the Nation of Islam in Baltimore, MD.