Tomorrow, 10 New York women will walk down the aisle of Brooklyn's House of the Lord Church to wed the fathers of their children.
Called Marry Your Baby Daddy Day, the event is an attempt to promote matrimony among black families. The free ceremony and celebration - a reception will follow at the Brooklyn Borough Hall rotunda - is made possible by donations from designers, caterers and other event specialists.
"I want to bring black love back into style," says organizer Maryann Reid, who selected the 10 couples - all of whom are in long-term, committed relationships - from more than 500 applicants. "By getting married, you tell the community that you are legally tied to and responsible for this family unit, that we can trust you to be the best possible parent and citizen you can be. After all, community starts with family."
According to the Administration for Children and Families, a branch of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, 68.4% of births to unmarried women are to non-Hispanic blacks. Though "American Idol" and single mom Fantasia Barrino scored a top-20 hit with her ode "Baby Mama," praising strong women who go it alone, others are convinced two heads of the house are better than one.
"You have to lead by example," said bride-to-be Raquel Baeza, 31, of Manhattan. The mother of Melanie, 8, and Tyler, 5, said she's thrilled to finally marry Tyler's father, Patrick Ilunga, 36, after eight years of being in love.
"My mom was a single parent, and I was one for a while, too," she says. "I want to break that cycle. I don't want my daughter to go through what I went through. Two parents share the costs and responsibilities of raising a family. Patrick is my best friend, and I can't see life without him."
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/350514p-299019c.html