Some stories feel like a breath of fresh air—and Barry Farmer’s is one of them. His path from a turbulent childhood to becoming the proud father of three boys isn’t just moving; it’s a reminder that resilience, love, and intentional parenting can change lives—starting with your own.
A TOUGH BEGINNING, BUT NOT THE END
Barry didn’t grow up with bedtime stories or homemade lunches. Instead, he was just five years old when his parents disappeared from the picture, leaving his grandmother to raise him. She offered stability where there had been chaos, love where there had been loss. Looking back, Barry says that’s when the seed was planted: someday, he wanted to be the kind of parent he never had.
That dream stayed with him. Not as a vague hope, but as a goal. A mission. Something he knew he would do—not just for himself, but for the kids who needed it most.
A CALLING TO FOSTER, AND THEN ADOPT
By his early twenties, Barry had become a licensed foster parent—something still rare among young single men. He welcomed his first foster child, a teenager on the edge of adulthood, and got his first taste of what it meant to care for someone full-time. But it wasn’t until 2011 that his journey as a father truly began.
That’s when he met Jackson.
“I had pictured a little Black boy,” Barry admits, chuckling. “Then I met Jackson, and he was the whitest kid I’d ever seen. I just thought—this is going to be fun.” What started with a surprise quickly became something beautiful: a bond built on shared laughs, growing trust, and a real sense of belonging. Before long, Barry adopted Jackson and officially became his dad.
WHEN ONE HEART MAKES ROOM FOR MORE
Not long after the adoption papers were signed, Jackson turned to Barry with a request: “Can I have a brother?”
Barry was floored. “I was like, kid—I just became your dad 30 minutes ago!”
Still, he couldn’t shake the idea. So two years later, Xavier, an energetic 11-year-old, joined the family. And not long after, came Jemeriah—just four years old, with a shy smile and a big heart. Suddenly, Barry wasn’t just a dad. He was a father of three, navigating homework, late-night fevers, sibling squabbles, and bedtime stories with more heart than he ever thought possible.
LIVING THE FATHERHOOD HE ONCE IMAGINED
Barry doesn’t take his role lightly. “I try to be present for everything—drop-offs, school plays, just hanging out at home,” he says. “I never had that growing up, and I want my boys to feel it every day.” For him, fatherhood isn’t a title—it’s a promise. One he lives out in the small, consistent moments: breakfasts together, pep talks before tests, family nights on the couch.
And yes, it’s hard sometimes. But Barry wouldn’t trade it for the world. “I always wanted to be someone’s dad. Now I get to be that—three times over.”
LOVE THAT REWRITES THE STORY
Today, Barry Farmer isn’t just known as a single dad—he’s a role model. Through public speaking and mentoring, he encourages others to consider fostering and adoption, especially men who may not see themselves reflected in that world. Organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption report that over 120,000 children in the U.S. are waiting to be adopted—and Barry hopes his story helps chip away at that number.
He didn’t have the easiest start. But Barry has written a different ending—for himself and for three boys who now call him Dad.
Meet Bill, a curious mind with a rebellious streak and a shared enthusiasm for lifestyle and culture. Like his longtime collaborator William, he’s captivated by the pulse of current events. But Bill brings a twist, he thrives on spontaneity, often following instinct over convention. His unconventional flair adds a dynamic edge to the team, making every project a little less predictable and a lot more exciting.
