Today we’d like to introduce you to Shon Hart.
Hi Shon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the foundation of my journey was shaped by the lessons, challenges, and resilience of my upbringing. Football became my passport to new opportunities, and through hard work and perseverance, I earned an athletic scholarship to play football at Michigan State University. It was there that I began to understand the power of discipline, leadership, and teamwork—qualities that would follow me far beyond the football field.
After college, my path led me into the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), where I worked directly with incarcerated men. That experience changed me forever. Day after day, I sat across from men who carried pain, regret, and brokenness—stories that mirrored pieces of my own life. Working with them forced me to take an honest look inward. I knew I never wanted to become a public success but a private failure. Those men became mirrors, making me confront my own wounds and commit to the hard work of forgiveness, healing, and becoming whole. It was in those moments that I began to see the deeper purpose God was calling me to pursue.
That purpose crystallized in the birth of InvolvedDad, the organization I now lead as Executive Director. Our mission is clear: to empower and equip men to be actively engaged fathers and father figures in the lives of their children. We exist to eradicate fatherlessness by turning the hearts of fathers back to the hearts of their children—one father at a time. Through programs like SHIELD, IMPACT, PROTECT, King’s Table, and Family Matters, we provide men with tools to grow from the inside out, break destructive cycles, and rewrite the narrative for the next generation.
Beyond organizational leadership, my journey has expanded into public speaking, coaching, and authorship. I am a certified Eric Thomas & Associates (ETA) speaker and the founder of the Elite Speaking Academy, where I train leaders, athletes, and professionals to discover their voice and communicate with power, authenticity, and influence. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of coaching former NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS athletes, helping them transition into new seasons of life while equipping them to dominate their lane on and off the stage.
As a six-time published author, my works—including Broken Boys Become Broken Men, From Average to Elite, and the Man 2 Man curriculum—carry the heartbeat of my mission: helping men confront their pain, remove their masks, and step into the wholeness of manhood. My upcoming works, The Power of a Father’s Presence and The Fatherhood Playbook, continue to build on that vision by giving men the practical tools and spiritual insight needed to transform their lives and legacies.
At the core of everything I do—whether in a prison, on a stage, in a classroom, or within my own family—I stand on this truth: strong men build strong families, and strong families build strong communities. My calling is to challenge, inspire, and equip men not only to show up but to stay present. I believe fatherhood is leadership, and leadership is legacy.
Today, as a husband, father of three, keynote speaker, coach, and community leader, I remain committed to living with integrity both publicly and privately. My story is one of transformation, but more importantly, it is a testimony of what happens when a man decides to do the internal work, surrender to God’s purpose, and lead with vision.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. In 2017, I experienced one of the hardest seasons of my life when I lost my mother. Not long after, I was fired from my job, and to make matters worse, I was navigating personal challenges within my own family. It felt like everything I had built my identity on was being stripped away.
At the same time, I was trying to help other men become whole, but I quickly realized I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. I had to slow down and take a hard look at myself—my pain, my brokenness, my healing—before I could authentically lead other men through theirs. That process was humbling but necessary.
Another challenge was simply finding the resources to support men. Fatherhood and male engagement don’t always get the attention or funding they deserve, and at times, it felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill. But by God’s grace, coupled with hard work, persistence, and determination, doors began to open. I learned how to create opportunities where none existed, and I discovered strength I didn’t know I had.
Those struggles not only shaped me but also sharpened my mission. They taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of building systems of support for men who often feel overlooked. Looking back, I see now that the road wasn’t smooth, but it was purposeful. Every obstacle became part of the foundation for what I do today.
We’ve been impressed with InvolvedDad, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What We Do & Who We Are
InvolvedDad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Flint, MI, founded in 2015 by Shon Hart. Our mission is simple yet profound: strong fathers build strong families—and strong families build strong communities. We equip fathers and father figures with practical tools, trusted relationships, and transformative programs, empowering them to actively engage in their children’s lives.
Signature Programs & Services
IMPACT Program: A proven 15-week curriculum in partnership with Genesee County Friend of the Court, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, and Motherly Intercession. It enrolls fathers in trauma-informed group work and facilitates healthy reconnection with their children
Family Matters: A supervised visitation and exchange center that provides a safe, neutral environment for children and non-custodial parents to rebuild trust and connection .
.
Man2Man University: A long-running peer-support group—offering sessions on fatherhood, relationships, mental health, financial literacy, and more—to foster community and healing.
.
Additional offerings include:
1st Time Fathers Video Course – self-paced, expert-led training covering prenatal support, safe sleep, co-parenting, and navigating the legal system
InvolvedDad
DAIP Domestic Violence Intervention – facilitated groups grounded in the Duluth Model for men who batter
InvolvedDad
LEAD Program – a leadership development track that mentors IMPACT graduates as future coaches and facilitators
Mott Foundation
King’s Table – peer circles focused on vulnerability, accountability, economic empowerment, and fatherhood.
.
Custom Training for professionals—courses like Engaging Fathers & Strengthening Families and Preventing Burnout in Social Services ensure practitioners can better serve fathers and families.
.
What Sets Us Apart
InvolvedDad doesn’t just teach parenting—we lead from inside out. Our trauma-informed, peer-supported approach meets men where they are, requires them to do the internal work, and invites healing before performance. Our integration of fatherhood programs with child support advocacy, supervised visitation, and co-parenting strategies makes us uniquely equipped to address both emotional and systemic challenges in father engagement.
Brand Strength: What We’re Most Proud Of
The human-centered model of healing and accountability—supported by licensed practitioners, mentors, and program alumni—is our hallmark.
Transformational outcomes: many dads not only reengage with their children but also become leaders in our LEAD program, contributing to generational change.
Our reputation for practical, strategic impact in Flint and beyond—recognized by funders like the Mott Foundation and policy leaders—continues to grow
What We Want Readers to Know
InvolvedDad is more than a nonprofit—it’s a movement offering real healing, systemic support, and generational transformation.
From virtual courses to in-person support, we meet fathers across all stages—first-time dads, system-involved men, and those seeking leadership and reconnection.
Our vision: a world where no child grows up without a father; where families flourish because men are healed, equipped, and present.
If you’re looking for a model of intentional fatherhood engagement blending coaching, advocacy, community, and healing, that’s us—InvolvedDad.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck, both good and bad, has played a role in my life and business — but more importantly, it has revealed purpose. I’ve had seasons where everything seemed to fall into place, and other seasons where challenges felt relentless. Losing my father, brother, and mother, facing personal setbacks, and being overlooked at times could easily be labeled as “bad luck.” But I’ve learned that those moments shaped my resilience, sharpened my vision, and fueled my passion for serving fathers and families.
On the other side, I’ve also experienced what many might call “good luck” — meeting the right mentors at the right time, being blessed with opportunities I couldn’t have orchestrated myself, and being entrusted with platforms to speak life into men who needed hope. I don’t just see those moments as luck, though. I see them as divine alignment.
InvolvedDad was born not because everything in my life went right, but because I learned how to turn pain into purpose. What some might view as luck, I view as preparation. Every obstacle was a setup for growth, every opportunity a reminder that when you stay committed to your calling, the right doors will open.
So while luck may have influenced my journey, faith, persistence, and purpose have been the true drivers of my success.
Pricing:
- donations to move the work forward
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.involveddad.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shonhart_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shonhart17 and https://www.facebook.com/InvolvedDad
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonhart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShonHart
