Welcome to Cool Dads™, a series in which our resident cool dad, Nick Grant, helps us all get dressed.

It’s important to feel loved. It’s vital, in fact. My son has already started picking up on that, even at 5 years old, telling someone “I love you” makes everyone involved feel good to the core. This Valentine’s Day, we tried to teach him that love goes beyond family. It goes beyond friends. There’s a different kind of “love” you need to have for people you may not even know.

Now, he’s still too young to truly understand what it means to be biracial in the U.S., let alone in the middle of Iowa, but he does know he looks different from his friends and he’s OK with that. Because he knows what it feels like to be loved for who he is. He knows that no matter what, if he’s kind, considerate, thoughtful and compassionate, he will be loved. So this month, let love be the filter you use to view how people of color have changed our landscape for the better, rather than concentrate on what has held us back in the past, and unfortunately, still today. Because I will not let hate drive my son’s happiness away.

My Black Love picks:

Union State University Cap



Filling Pieces Peak Boots



Pyer Moss American Trucker Corduroy Jacket



Union Hand Of Africa Crewneck



Pyer Moss Pleated Logo Wide Jean