A native of Jamaica who is now a Jefferson City resident was among eight fathers who were honored Sunday at the annual Juneteenth Heritage Celebration Father's Day Awards Banquet.
Jervis Mornan was named the "Father of the Year" at the annual ceremony attended by about 60 people.
He described himself as an "old school" parent.
"The children are our future, and we just have to protect them and guide them in the right way," he said, adding he has always tried to raise his children with a strong faith in the Lord.
America is a great country, he said, but it sometimes grants too much privilege to children as opposed to adults. In Jamaica, for example, it's more acceptable for someone to reprimand other people's children.
His three children read what they wrote in nominating their father. Son Malik said he is a loving father who loves the Lord, helps him with his homework and supports him at his sporting events.
"He works hard to provide for us," he said. "And he always takes me to church on Sunday."
Daughter Cheyanne said he's "willing to make sacrifices for his family and put their needs before his own."
Britney, his other daughter, said her father taught her to "always be thankful for times we had plenty and content in times we didn't."
He told her people can take everything away from you except the knowledge in your head. He also raised her to "let your faith be bigger than your fear."
In his acceptance speech, Mornan said: "Despite me thinking they're not listening to me, what I've said is really getting through."
Annette Driver, the mistress of ceremonies, said fathers should play as important a role as mothers, but that isn't always the case. She said through President Obama's example, however, she's seen that change.
The Juneteenth Emancipation Awards, given to seven area teachers, went to LeRone Briggs, Homer Cavitte, Clark Frost Jr., Melvin Myers, Steve Plumb, Andre Salmon and Frank Wallemann.
Patricia Wright-Tatum, a retired administrator in the Jefferson City school district, was the main speaker.
She lamented the fact that only 23.7 percent of public school teachers are men, and only 2 percent are African-American men.
"You can still matter," she said. "Commit yourself as these seven men have done."