Peter Mutabazi has quite an incredible story.

At the age of 10, Mutabazi ran away from an abusive home in his native Uganda. He was fortunate enough to find a father figure who helped to guide him through his formative years. Eventually, Mutabazi ended up in the US, becoming a citizen and dedicating his life to helping others.

That alone would be worthy of coverage, but it’s what Mutabazi did back in 2018 that continues to make headlines around the world.

Having worked in the foster care system for a number of years, Mutabazi was always ready to lend a hand when needed. But when he heard of an 11-year-old boy was abandoned by his adoptive parents, Mutabazi knew he’d need to do more than simply foster the young man.

The boy’s name was Tony, and after being adopted at the age of four, Tony was now alone in the world. “He asked if his parents were coming to get him and they said no,” Mutabazi recalls. “By that time, I was crying. I thought, ‘Who would do that?’ Once I knew the parents’ rights were signed off and he had nowhere to go, I [knew] I had to take him.”

So Mutabazi opened his home to Tony, fostering him as he had so many times before for others in difficult situations. But this time was different. Mutabazi knew Tony needed a place to call home. A forever home.

Mutabazi telling GMA “I had the room, the resources, so I had no reason to let him go. For what someone did for me I wanted to do something for someone else.”

Since then, the two have truly bonded, with both gaining the family they never had before. “From day one, he’s always called me ‘dad.’ He truly meant it and he looks up to me. He’s proud to show me at school and say, ‘Hey, he’s my dad.’ That’s something that I love about him.”

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Father’s Day! To me, it’s a reminder of the most rewarding yet difficult job. I quickly realized that being a Father was a title/job I had to assume 24/7. No days off. No sick days. No more sleeping in when I want. No more evening gatherings with friends. Definitely no more privacy, weekend dating, or personal space. In fact, the only time I have the rights to Netflix or Hulu is when the Minions are sound asleep and by then I am so exhausted all I want is sleep. 😴 Because I wasn’t practicing my English much other than the word “no..no…no” I was struggling to become more fluent. Its hard at times. Sad when my GPS thinks the grocery store is where I work since I’m always there shopping. Sometimes I get frustrated when I know I shouldn’t because the smiles these littles ones provide me are invaluable. I would do it all over again with joy! It’s truly an honor and blessing to be called “Dad”! Edited by @ruraldad #dadlife #dadtribe #dads #blackdad #blackdads #fosterdad #fosterdads #fatherhood #dadsofinstagram #dadsofinsta #dadstuff #parenthood #momlife #citydads #parentingtips #singledad #singledadlife #fostermoms #fostercareadoption #fostertoadopt

A post shared by Street Kid To Foster Father (@fosterdadflipper) on Jun 17, 2019 at 8:37am PDT

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Thank you for teaching me how to disappear in good story book, I wish I could read a 10th of what you read 😆. Truly a blessing to have you as my son, thank you for accepting me as your dad with all my faults, I strive daily to be a better dad. Thank you for hanging in there with me as I learn and grow. #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionpodcast #encouragement #handsandfeet #adoptivemoms #waitingforyou #waitingforkids #hopingtoadopt #singledad #soledad #dadlife #dadsofinstagram #instakids #blackdad

A post shared by Street Kid To Foster Father (@fosterdadflipper) on Jan 29, 2020 at 9:31am PST

Mutabazi is quick to acknowledge that he gets as much if not more out of the relationship as his son, saying in an Instagram post “Truly a blessing to have you as my son, thank you for accepting me as your dad with all my faults, I strive daily to be a better dad. Thank you for hanging in there with me as I learn and grow.”

While the two chronicle their adventures on Instagram, chances are they won’t be alone for long. Mutabazi and his son say they plan on counting to foster other youth for many years to come.

Two souls now paying it forward as one in the best possible way.

“In 2011, my husband he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall from a bicycle.

At first I was told he might not survive, then I was told he might be a vegetable the rest of his life, then we were told that he probably wouldn’t return to the career he loves. He was in a coma for 11 days, a rehab hospital for 14 days, and went through months and months of outpatient therapy.

And then he defied all of those predictions.

Through hard work he returned to his career and he found a love of running. This man who proved everyone wrong now competes in Spartan obstacle course races with our oldest daughter.

I am so proud that he found the strength to return to us.”

– Sharon Cullen

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email [email protected]

Check out the previous editions of Father Figures here.

It’s no secret that kids are information sponges. They spend every waking moment exploring, experimenting and learning about the world around them, as well as their role in it. Kids learn an enormous amount from their parents and role models at home – they learn how to behave, how to interact with other people, how to cope with stress and so many other aspects of everyday life. For some kids, however, tough home lives mean that they may not have the guidance they need to effectively navigate this complex world. Raymond Nelson, the student support specialist at Memminger Elementary in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina realized that several of his students didn’t have male role models at home. So, he decided, he could be the one to help guide them towards being the best versions of themselves.

Nelson works with many at-risk children, and keeping them on the right path is both an important part of his job and important to him personally. Nelson started a Gentlemen’s Club at his school to instill young boys with a sense of confidence, and, well – to help them act like little gentlemen. Every Wednesday, 60 of Nelson’s 5th graders show up at their elementary school dressed to the nines. Dozens of little tuxedos and suits can be spotted throughout the school, worn by these self-assured young men.

“I was thinking maybe if I have the boys dress for success,” Nelson told WCSC-TV. “When was the last time you saw someone fighting in a tuxedo?”

The Gentlemen’s Club’s motto, “Look good, feel good, do good,” helps instill in young boys just how valuable they are, and just how much their actions matter. The boys learn lessons like how to treat female peers (who, according to some of Nelson’s students, still have cooties), which helps them be more productive members of their school community.

When Nelson was a young boy, his mom encouraged him to join a similar type of club. To this day, Nelson sees the lasting impact those early lessons had on him. Nelson’s program has had such a deep impact on the behavior and self-confidence of his students, he and another man named Kenneth Joyner (a 5th-grade teacher at Nelson’s school) even started a nonprofit organization called “Boys With a Purpose”. The organization helps empower other young boys in the Charleston area to “Look good, feel good, do good” – which, to be honest, is a lifestyle we could all stand to embrace.

When I was a kid and my older brother was about to leave for college, I sold his Nintendo system at a local tag sale. When he found out, he was very upset, because it was his and he wanted to take it to school with him, and also because I only got twenty bucks for it. I was unable to make it up to him at the time, but with some news that just came out, I might be able to soon!

A few months ago, we shared the news of LEGO‘S collaboration with Nintendo for an interactive LEGO Super Mario. Now there’s a full-fledged LEGO Nintendo set that will work with the Super Mario.

LEGO tweeted a video today, with a tantalizing tease.

Are you ready to play like never before? pic.twitter.com/XuNFD7rP0B

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) July 13, 2020

The reaction to LEGO Super Mario has been incredible,” said Jonathan Bennink, Digital Design Lead on LEGO Super Mario, via ComicBook.com when the full product line was revealed. “Super Mario is such an icon – and fans have been highly anticipating the release of the full details of the product line. Our entire range – from the Starter Course to the Power-Up Packs, through to the Expansion Sets and Character Packs – have been built to bring Super Mario, his friends – and his enemies – to life. We love how creative Nintendo and LEGO fans are, and can’t wait for them to unleash their imaginations in how they interact with Super Mario in the real world.”

Pictures have been leaking of the LEGO set, which will retail for around $250 and include 2,646 pieces. Rumors say both the LEGO Super Mario and the LEGO Nintendo will be available on August 1st.

Just in time for my brother’s birthday!

In a bizarre twist even the most devoted Star Wars fan couldn’t imagine, a Star Wars movie was #1 at the box office this weekend. That isn’t crazy. What is unusual is that it’s a Star Wars movie that was released nearly four decades ago, as “The Empire Strikes Back” was the #1 movie in America this week.

Obviously, this summer is a little unique compared to most, mainly in the fact that the movie industry (like numerous others!) has been completely and utterly wrecked by COVID-19 and shutdowns around the nation. One business that has seen a big jump in biz, however, is drive-in movie theaters.

I’m sitting on top of my van watching empire strikes back with my homies pic.twitter.com/r0zaGoTu5R

— wilbo (@anindoorkid) July 13, 2020

With real movie theaters shut down, and with the need for social distancing, people have been acting like it’s the 1950s again and flocking to drive-in movie theaters. It’s one of the only widespread entertainment options available at the moment, and families are taking advantage of them.

Watching Empire Strikes Back at my local drive-in! pic.twitter.com/4pjQTBI34C

— Let’s Talk Guy Gardner & The Green Lantern Corps (@GuyGardnerTalk) July 13, 2020

Naturally, many of these theaters show classics, such as “The Empire Strikes Back”, “Ghostbusters” and “Jaws”, all of which have seen modest box office returns lately. Even with a final tally that’s literally a fraction of what a normal summer box office winner would bring in, and with the biggest COVID asterisk you can put next to it, it’s still the #1 movie in America. This is the third time for Empire after its original release and the re-release in the late 90s.

The Empire Strikes Back is top of the weekend box office for the first time in 23 years, and will make an estimated $500,000 this weekend pic.twitter.com/HxdYpurfQM

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) July 11, 2020

There have been nine Star Wars movies, and I think we can all agree, as reasonable people, that “The Empire Strikes Back” is far and away the best of them. So it’s cool to see it get another brief moment in the spotlight, even as the movie industry crumbles around it.

Ingenuity has been off the charts in recent months. From Nintendo Switch TV frames to dinosaur jungle gyms, there’s never been a better time to roll up your sleeves, hunker down in the garage, and build something that until then had only existed in your imagination.

Meet Hasan Kaval from Izmir, Turkey, the da Vinci of our time.

By now we’ve all surely grown bored with our couches. Hasan, however, has literally taken that lethargy to new heights by turning his sofa into a paraglider, complete with a footstool, lamp, and working TV.

Here you can see some fellas securing the bottom with a custom metal frame.

Hasan paraglides professionally, working as a pilot and instructor. But lately, you can catch him sailing above the Fethiye district in Southwest Turkey on his cherry-red sofa chair, slippers on, a bag of chips and pop in hand, watching some Tom & Jerry.

To initiate flight he just sort of… has his buddies push him off a really high up ledge. It’s bananas. You can watch the couch-glider in action in this video from his YouTube channel.

So rad. Kind of a bummer that “couch surfing” is already a much lamer thing.

Fast and Furious 9 could be headed where no Fast movie has been before…outer space. One of the franchise’s stars tried to very coyly tease a major development for the next installment of Fast and Furious movies. Only, it wasn’t as secretive as he thought.

Here’s why the rumor mill is churning with F9 to space stories. Ludacris was doing an interview with SiriusXM when he said the COVID-shutdown in the movie’s filming has allowed the producers to up the ante even more for the highly anticipated blockbuster, allowing it to do something that hasn’t been done before.

The host said the only thing that hasn’t been done would be space, and that she can’t imagine what happens in the next movie.

Ludacris responded by noting she “just said something very important. I will say that you are very intuitive, cause you said something right, but I’m not going to give it away.”

It appears ‘Fast & Furious 9’ will be out of this world https://t.co/8bGnWZbBdK

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 10, 2020

She then yelled that she said space, and he covered his mouth. So…it’s definitely space. Definitely maybe. At least, it’s more fun to think the long-running franchise is yet again going to up the ante.

In the past, the writers haven’t shrugged off space entirely, saying they were open to anything as long as it was ‘cool.’ Which, as a motto, isn’t a bad way to go through life.

From stealing this, to going to space, Fast And Furious is a wild franchise. pic.twitter.com/JbyHw85Lqv

— Chris (@CrisMovieCorner) July 10, 2020

Most of the heavy hitters from past films are back, but the real question we all want to know, is Vin Diesel gonna fight John Cena in space?

And until we know 100 percent otherwise, the best answer to operate from is “absolutely.”

If there’s one song from the 80s that withstood the test of time, it’s “Africa” by Toto. Every so often, it reenters the public consciousness, be it by way of Scrubs episode, Weezer cover, or even buzzing Tesla coils. It’s a near-perfect song, and it’s never going anywhere.

In the spirit of this recent slew of virtual pop culture reunions, some of the guys from Toto got together to dust off their 1982 hit.

Returning for lead vocals you is Joseph Williams.

On percussion, we’ve got Mr. DOO-DOO D-DOO D-DOO D-DOO DOO PSHHH himself, Lenny Castro.

And on vertical phone orientation, we’ve got guitarist Steve Lukather.

You know the words. You know the legendary drum fills. Now get ready to hear “Africa” as you’ve never heard it before: through the lens of a quarantine. Enjoy!

“I really hope you guys out there are safe and well,” says Steve on guitar. “God bless. Hang in there.”

“I am the proud father of an 8-year-old daughter named Winnie.

For years, I was lost on a path toward self-destruction. I was involved in violence, drugs, and alcohol, and seemed destined to end up either dead or in jail.

I managed to forge a career and get married, but always had a monkey on my back. My behavior began to hurt everyone in my life as much as it was hurting me.

Then my daughter was born. The first day I held her, everything in my life changed.

For the first time, I had a direction. There was never an option to fail. My overwhelming love for her made me look myself in a mirror and resolve to become a better person for myself and for her. It took hard work, humility, and honesty for me to get to where I started to feel love for myself and face the demons that were in my closet.

Because of my daughter and the strength she gave me, I built an amazing life for us and have such an amazing relationship with her everyday. We even wrote and published a book together: Big Bad Dad.

These days, I am part of a nonprofit group dedicated to teaching men to show humility and emotion, and encouraging them to speak about their feelings and ask for help.

My daughter completely shifted the way I think about life and the way I live as a man and I am so grateful to her every single day.”

– Ryan Bourquin

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email [email protected]

Check out the previous editions of Father Figures here.