Judge Mablean Ephriam Host H.U.F. Awards Honoring Unsung Fathers
Judge Mablean Ephriam and the Mablean Ephriam Foundation hosted their 2025 Awards and Scholarship Brunch on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the Hilton Long Beach. This event coincided with Father’s Day and welcomed over 300 guests. The afternoon was truly blessed, as ministers, film stars, entertainers, fathers, students, honorees, family members, and dedicated supporters enjoyed delicious food, great music, heartfelt testimonies, and humorous jokes from guest MC comedian Michael Colyar. Award-winning Gospel artist Vickie Winans was a special musical guest.
Judge Mablean Ephriam, the Founder and President of the Mablean Foundation, established the Honoring Unsung Fathers (H.U.F.) initiative in 2003 to celebrate fathers and encourage their active involvement in their children’s lives. This annual event honors fathers in five categories: Solo Warriors, Love Cares, Fatherhood Forever, Village Dad, and Living Legacy.
Solo Warrior – The father who never married the child’s mother and who is the primary custodial parent. Eric E. Phillips
Love Cares -The married father, living in the home and caring for his family. Gentry D. Richardson
Fatherhood Forever -The divorced father, who may have divorced the mother, but remains active in the lives of the children. Reverend La Velle M. Gates, Sr.
Living Legacy – The elderly father serves as a role model for all other fathers. Ronald Nathaniel Gillaspie
The Village Dad -The non-biological father who stepped into the shoes of the father. Tracy Cathey
Judge Mablean believes in the sanctity of marriage and the importance of parenthood. Issues surrounding family, especially the presence of a strong, loving, and hard-working father, are very dear to Judge Mablean. She firmly believes that the positive interaction between a supportive, caring father and his child(ren) , nurtures the inner spirit and paves the way toward healthy adulthood and a better society.
The mission of the Awards is to identify and recognize fathers who play a vital role in the development of their child(ren)’s lives.
The purpose is to reach out to families and communities to celebrate fathers and make Father’s Day as special as Mother’s Day; to encourage and promote positive fatherhood by spotlighting fathers who accept their role and responsibility and do it well.
