- Director Kobie Brown's Acclaimed Original Documentary "From Fatherless to Fatherhood" Premieres on Father's Day, June 16 at 8 p.m. EDT "¢ "The Bill Cosby Show" Marathon and Special "The Root 100" Celebrity Vignettes Also Featured -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – Atlanta, GA – June 6, 2013 — This Father’s Day, ASPiRE will feature special programming that showcases a range of fathers and reflections on fatherhood. “Cos-A-Thon,” a marathon of classic “The Bill Cosby Show” episodes, at 4-8 p.m. EDT leads into the world television premiere of the critically-acclaimed, conversation-starting documentary From Fatherless To Fatherhood, which thoughtfully explores the impact of missing fathers in the African-American community. From Fatherless To Fatherhood airs on Sunday, June 16 at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. EDT, and Sunday, June 17 at 1 a.m. EDT.

In addition, Father’s Day on ASPiRE will be peppered with a range of compelling vignettes from the network’s original series “The Root 100,” which will feature film, television and music stars, including pastor Devon Franklin, activist Ben Jealous and actress Gabrielle Union, as they share personal stories about their fathers.

“We have a great deal to celebrate in June,” said ASPiRE General Manager Paul Butler. “ASPiRE turns a year old on June 27. Throughout this milestone month, we wanted to showcase what makes this network unique for modern African-American viewers looking for quality family entertainment. As part of this celebration, we are thrilled to bring filmmaker Kobie Brown’s groundbreaking documentary to audiences as the nation celebrates fatherhood. We hope that this film’s debut on ASPiRE stimulates and inspires conversation on this important topic.”

Independent documentary film From Fatherless To Fatherhood explores the causes, effects and possible solutions to the absence of fathers in African-American community. Additionally, the film highlights Black men who are fostering quality relationships with their children, families and therefore, their communities. The film is rooted in the real lives of men, women and children and buttressed by the perspectives of multiple Grammy-Award winning gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin, Dr. Steve Perry (CNN’s Education Contributor), Reverend DeForest B. Soaries (CNN’s “Black in America: Almighty Debt”) and Jeff Robinson (MBK Entertainment).

Director Kobie Brown is excited about this partnership and platform with which to spread his message of the importance of fatherhood. "More often than not examples of high quality manhood, fatherhood and loving relationships are not illustrated, talked about or shown such that we can recognize them when we see them,” Brown says. “It is an honor to connect with Earvin "Magic" Johnson and the team at the ASPiRE to celebrate the importance of fatherhood and deliver a different kind of reality; one that has the ability to transform us all."

A Google+ Hangout with Brown and hip-hop artist/music producer David Banner to discuss the film is scheduled for Thursday, June 13 at Noon EDT on aspire.tv/hangout. Additional speakers and special guests will be announced. Please see www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/schedule.html or www.aspire.tv for more details.

For additional information on the web series or the film From Fatherless To Fatherhood, please go to www.tofatherhood.com and follow the film on Facebook www.facebook.com/fromfatherlesstofatherhood, Twitter @tofatherhood and Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kobiechronicles/tofatherhood/. Click the following link to see a clip of Reverend DeForest B. Soaries discussing the meaning of fatherhood: https://vimeo.com/67185186

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Raised in East Orange, NJ, and educated at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Kobie Brown is a respected music industry executive. His passion for creativity, commitment to activism, and awareness of the pervasiveness and pain resulting from father absence inspired Brown to create From Fatherless to Fatherhood – a documentary that explores father absence in the Black community while showcasing men who are fostering quality relationships with their children, families, and therefore, their communities.

About ASPiRE

ASPiRE is a television network targeted to African-Americans and celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of our past, our now and our next. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in more than 15 million homes in 20 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, DC. through Comcast, Time Warner and FAVE TV. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvaspire.

About Magic Johnson Enterprises

Magic Johnson Enterprises acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. For more information, visit http://magicjohnson.com/enterprises.