Fathers And Sons TalkFathers And Sons Talk (FAST)
Strong Fathers. Strong Sons. Strong Legacy.
Communities are strengthened when fathers are engaged and young men are equipped to lead with character.
Fathers And Sons Talk (FAST) is a community-based mentoring and leadership development initiative founded by Bernard P. Waller. Through mentoring, meaningful conversations, and practical life lessons, FAST helps fathers build stronger relationships with their sons while equipping young men with the values, confidence, and leadership skills to become responsible, purpose-driven men.
A Fatherhood & Youth Development Initiative founded by Bernard P. Waller.
Faith. Family. Fatherhood. Future.
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FAST photo from previous meeting will appear here
Built from Experience. Driven by Purpose.
FAST was born from a deeply personal journey. Raised in a single-parent home, Bernard understands the challenges many young men face when consistent guidance and positive male role models are absent. Those experiences shaped his passion for helping fathers strengthen their relationships with their sons and equipping young men to become leaders of character.
Drawing on more than 30 years of leadership experience, including service in the United States Marine Corps and executive leadership within the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Bernard combines proven leadership principles with practical life lessons that inspire growth, responsibility, and purpose.
More importantly, Bernard has been married for more than 35 years and is the proud father of three sons. FAST reflects not only his professional experience, but also the lessons learned through faith, family, fatherhood, and a lifelong commitment to developing people.
FAST was created so that no father will lead alone and no young man will discover manhood without guidance, support, and hope.
Mission
To strengthen relationships between fathers and sons through faith-rooted mentoring, coaching, and meaningful conversation—guiding young males to become positive, productive men who build a lasting family legacy.
Vision
To see fathers actively leading with faith, wisdom, and purpose while raising sons who become responsible men, strong leaders, and legacy builders in their families and communities.
Motto
“You are born a male, but becoming a man requires discipline, responsibility, and purpose.”
Core values
What we stand on.
Faith
We believe strong men are built on spiritual foundation, purpose, and trust in God.
Responsibility
We teach young men to own their choices, commitments, and future.
Integrity
We believe manhood requires honesty, character, and doing what is right even when no one is watching.
Relationship
We strengthen the bond between fathers and sons through trust, communication, and intentional time together.
Legacy
We help fathers and sons build something that lasts beyond them.
The five pillars
The Five Pillars of Manhood
The Foundation for Building Men of Character
FAST is built on five foundational pillars that equip fathers and sons with the values, life skills, and leadership principles needed to build strong families and lasting legacies. Each pillar develops a different aspect of manhood while reinforcing the importance of character, responsibility, and purpose.
Spiritual Responsibility
Build Your Identity on a Strong Foundation
Focus: Faith, identity, prayer, biblical principles, and personal discipline.
Outcome: Young men develop a strong moral foundation, a clear sense of identity, and the confidence to live with purpose and conviction.
Sexual Responsibility
Honor Yourself and Others
Focus: Self-control, purity, respect, healthy relationships, and understanding the lifelong consequences of choices.
Outcome: Young men learn to manage their desires with wisdom, discipline, integrity, and respect for themselves and others.
Financial Responsibility
Manage Resources with Wisdom
Focus: Work ethic, budgeting, stewardship, saving, generosity, and wise financial decision-making.
Outcome: Participants develop practical financial habits that prepare them to provide for themselves, support their families, and build generational stability.
Emotional Responsibility
Lead Your Emotions Before They Lead You
Focus: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, self-control, and healthy responses to life's challenges.
Outcome: Young men learn to manage emotions with maturity, respond thoughtfully under pressure, and build stronger relationships through emotional wisdom.
Social & Relational Responsibility
Build Relationships That Strengthen Communities
Focus: Communication, respect, accountability, teamwork, servant leadership, and positive influence.
Outcome: Participants develop the relationship skills needed to earn trust, resolve conflict, and become leaders who positively influence their families, workplaces, and communities.
Rite of passage
From Male to Man.
Manhood is not defined by age—it is shaped through character, responsibility, and intentional choices. The FAST Rite of Passage is a meaningful milestone that recognizes a young man's commitment to embrace the values and responsibilities of manhood.
More than a ceremony, it is a public commitment to live with faith, integrity, discipline, and purpose.
- Write a personal Commitment to Manhood, outlining the values and principles that will guide his life.
- Receive affirmation, encouragement, and a blessing from his father or a trusted mentor.
- Publicly declare his commitment to lead with character, responsibility, and purpose.
- Participate in a symbolic rite of passage that marks his intentional transition into manhood.
"Manhood isn't inherited. It's intentionally developed."
The ceremony celebrates not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to becoming the man God created him to be.
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FAST Rite of Passage photo will appear here
Join the FAST Community
Whether you're a father, mentor, volunteer, community leader, or supporter, there are many ways to become part of the FAST mission. Together, we can strengthen families, develop young men of character, and build a lasting legacy for future generations.
Meetings & Events
FAST gathers monthly through engaging workshops, mentoring sessions, service projects, and family events designed to strengthen fathers, equip sons, and build community.
Meeting dates and locations will be announced soon. Join our interest list to receive updates and early registration opportunities.
Who Can Participate?
FAST welcomes individuals and organizations committed to developing the next generation of men.
- Fathers and sons
- Single mothers with sons (paired with positive male mentors)
- Grandfathers and grandsons
- Uncles, coaches, and trusted male mentors
- Churches and faith communities
- Schools and youth organizations
- Community partners who share our mission
No young man should have to walk the journey to manhood alone.
Become a Mentor or Volunteer
Invest your life experience in the next generation. We're looking for fathers, mentors, speakers, and volunteers who are willing to encourage, teach, and model responsible manhood.
Your influence today can change a young man's tomorrow.
Support the Mission
Your generosity helps provide scholarships, educational materials, mentoring resources, community events, and meaningful Rite of Passage ceremonies for families who need them most. Every gift helps remove barriers and creates opportunities for young men to grow into responsible, purpose-driven leaders.
Community Partnerships
FAST believes lasting change happens when families and communities work together. We welcome partnerships with churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and civic groups that share our commitment to strengthening fathers and developing young men. Together, we can create a greater impact than any one organization can accomplish alone.
Recommended Resources
Growth doesn't end when the session is over. Participants and families receive recommended books, articles, podcasts, and leadership resources focused on faith, fatherhood, character, discipline, leadership, and personal growth. Our growing resource library will be available soon.
Stay Connected
Be the first to hear about upcoming cohorts, community events, volunteer opportunities, and new resources.
Join the FAST Interest List and become part of a movement dedicated to building strong fathers, developing strong sons, and creating a lasting legacy.
Ready to Build the Next Generation?
Strong families don't happen by accident—they're built through intentional leadership, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to developing young men of character.
Whether you're a father, son, mentor, volunteer, or community partner, there's a place for you in the FAST community.
Join us as we strengthen fathers, develop sons, and build a legacy that will impact generations.
Join the FAST Interest List