GoodHeart | Carlton Stewart wins Father of the Year 2025
Published:Saturday | June 21, 2025 | 12:06 AMOâbrian Wynter/ Gleaner Writer
If there were ever a competition for fathers, Carlton Stewart would have been the clear favourite to take the top prize. Among 39 nominees, Stewart stood tall, winning not one but three prestigious awards, more than any other father at the recent Eternal Father Awards. Held on Father’s Day at the AC Hotel Kingston, some of Jamaica’s best dads gathered for the fourth annual awards show that celebrates and honours outstanding Jamaican fathers.
Stewart earned top honours in three categories: Best Fatherhood Moment Captured on Photograph, Parish Champion Father (St James), and the grand title of Father of the Year.
Being the only father to claim three awards that night, Stewart was overwhelmed by the recognition, and admitted that he was lost for words.
“I’ve just been doing what I think I should be doing as a father, standing up to my responsibilities and just being there for my child. I’m grateful that my efforts are recognised in this way,” he told GoodHeart.
Stewart is a proud father to his beloved son Kalani and shared openly how fatherhood has profoundly shaped his life and character. Though he hopes to expand his family one day, his current focus is entirely on being the best father he can be while encouraging other fathers to do the same.
“Just show up!” is his advice to dads. He went on, “Find the time. Make the time. Don’t leave everything up to the mother … show up to the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) [meetings], sports day, any event you can. Let the school and the community know that this child has a father.”
When asked about the Eternal Father Awards, Stewart’s gratitude was simple. “I think that this is a wonderful thing the Eternal Father Awards is doing, and they should keep it up. It’s truly an honour,” he said.
Looking ahead, Stewart plans to keep doing what he does best, showing up.
“I will continue to do what I’ve been doing and try to motivate my peers to just show up. Spend the time, go to the beach and to even fly a kite, because those are all things that I do with my son every time I get a chance,” he explained.
Kaysia Kerr, chief executive officer of the National Parenting Support Commission, offered a few words for an even deeper context after handing over the award to Stewart.
“I want to firstly congratulate all the fathers who were awarded today and the nominees. It means that there are persons out there who are doing well in fatherhood and who are being effective generally in parenting,” she said, adding, “However, they’re in the great minority unfortunately, and so my appeal is for people to carefully consider fatherhood before entering it because it’s really the most important task that a man could ever undertake. Once you become a father you’re stuck with that duty forever.”
Kerr underscored the importance of intentional and sustained fatherhood, urging men to build supportive networks and lean into the full spectrum of parenting responsibilities.
“I encourage you to seek support because it’s a challenging journey, and pull another person with you as well. A major challenge comes when fathers become frustrated, when this happens they exit, not only the relationship, but also the child’s life. Some work it out, but some don’t,” she highlighted.
She also emphasised that boys especially need mentorship, love, and support from their fathers, urging men to stay committed, as the absence of fathers at home contributes significantly to many of the country’s current challenges.