J.LeVar Bryan, Sr., Founder & CEO of The Dad’s List
Who Am I?
I’m J.LeVar Bryan, Sr. Founder & CEO of The Dad’s List.
As a father of four, my family life inspires my work to recognize the stories of men who are redefining what it means to be a dad. I use my talents to advocate for fatherhood through a variety of social media platforms, my podcast, blog, apparel, and through attending live events. It’s so important to craft the message from stories and use these resources as tools to engage with those who need to see, hear, and get involved. To accomplish this, I currently wear a few hats!
In addition to running The Dad’s List, I started LeVar Legacy Operations Agency to solve simple problems for those starting their businesses. I help birth workers and solopreneurs get organized & create systems so they can start, grow and protect their brand. I have been a sales & consultative professional for over 20 years with experiences from retail management to network marketing and direct sales. I’ve spent years working as a consultant and business manager to clients in the birth worker, life coaching, social services industries and more.
Finally, I am an Independent Associate with LegalShield, Inc. LegalShield is a company that protects your family, your business, and your personal identity with simple, comprehensive legal and identity theft protection plans. As a dad and member of this service since 2003, I know how important it is to have access to these resources when you have a family and a small business. If you know anything about what these services offer, you would know that I would be doing a disservice to my community by not informing and making it available to the individuals and families that I serve!
My plan is to continue to add value by ensuring that my missions connect to its intended audiences. Whether that is for families or in the small business community.
During personal time, I’m a self-proclaimed mobile device aficionado. I’m also considered platform-agnostic when it pertains to my choice of technology. Quality time with my partner Shawnese, listening to podcasts, engaging in personal development, and going down rabbit holes on YouTube is how I spend time away from the businesses.
The Dad’s List idea…
Within the first 30 days of having my fourth child in December 2017, my life as a father became a never-ending to-do list! I posted a 5am video on Instagram showcasing the struggle of sleep deprivation. I was holding my 3 year old son when my newborn son woke up 6 minutes later.
Many people viewed that video and many friends text me directly about wanting to see more content of the dad life struggle. So, The Dad's List Instagram account was born. Initially, The Dad's List (TDL) was about me showcasing the ups and downs of fatherhood. Fun photos & videos of me hanging with my kids filled my account. Also, heart-felt photos & videos about my 3 year old son with autism made its appearance multiple times. It was fun sharing the realities of my life as a dedicated father.
Then I realized that it wasn't about me. I started to follow and be followed by other fathers and dad bloggers. They shared similar stories. Collectively, without collaboration, we were showing the side of fatherhood that is rarely seen...the real side! As dads, we all have a list of values, goals, and milestones that we are trying to accomplish to solidify our long term legacy! That's when I knew that TDL had to become more than me and my kids. I had to create an environment for us to connect and celebrate fatherhood.
So now, with the addition of The Dad's List Podcast, we are an online community of fathers, sons, brothers, neighbors, etc. We are sharing stories about ourselves and the men in our life that exemplify the realities of true fatherhood. This is an online community to inspire and be inspired. Multiple types of fathers are represented here now and more types of fathers will come and be celebrated here, too!
This list is our list of values, goals and milestones in the pursuit of creating our legacy.