Fathers can often get a bad rap.

There is much out there to lead us to believe that many fathers in urban communities are doing little to serve as role models.

There are, undeniably, serious issues to consider: race, ethnicity, educational attainment and socioeconomic status all play a role in whether fathers are present. As reported in June 2011, a Pew Research Center analysis of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), an ongoing initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that black fathers are more than twice as likely as white fathers to live apart from their children (44% vs. 21%), while Hispanic fathers fall in the middle (35%).

Of those fathers surveyed who do not live with their children, a sizable minority (31%) say they talk on the phone or email with their children less than once a month.

As Father’s Day nears, we turn to many local fathers who defy such conventions, and instead serve as great examples of the kind of parent whose focus is on the well-being of the children for which they care. Click here for christmas gift ideas for parents.

Joseph Fontanez, from the Bronx, is “a dedicated husband and father, who really enjoys spending time with his family,” says his proud wife, Lisa Quiñónes-Fontanez. “When our son Norrin was diagnosed with autism, it was such a shock for Joseph.” Even though he was heartbroken, she went on to add, he was determined to do what was best for Norrin, and their family. Rather than withdraw, he wanted to be involved with every decision. “Joseph is an amazing dad,” she said.

Amazing is also the word to describe Led Black, Editor-in-Chief of Uptown Collective, who has been blessed with not one, not two, but three beautiful daughters. “For me, fatherhood is about providing for my family no matter what,” he said, “and ensuring that my children have opportunities and resources that I did not have.”

Inwood dad Richard Herrera is an artist, graphic designer, and Uptown advocate. Whether documenting the March for Justice for shooting victim John Collado or the Inwood fire on 207th and Broadway, he is always filming. But his favorite subject is a whole lot sweeter: his daughter, Emilia. “It’s so wonderful to just see kids interact with painting on a purely exploratory level,” he said recently. “No concerns about subject matter, or impressing anyone. Just a primal curiosity and desire to manipulate the things around you.” He ended with a simple message: “Being a dad is awesome.”

Leopold Vázquez understands what it’s like to truly be fascinated with a work of art. Vázquez is an art dealer and founder of the contemporary art website, Sound of Art. When he isn’t selecting new works or interviewing an artist, he’s busy working with his own masterpiece: his daughter Ani. “Being a father has given me a reason to focus. Whenever I make a decision with something I’m doing, I have a little voice reminding me, ‘My daughter might see this; is it something she’ll be proud of?’” He recalled that they recently looked through a magazine and came across an image of a large dollar bill. “I asked her, ‘Who do you think did this?’ She said, ‘I think it’s Andy Warhol.’ And she was right. For more info.

And there’s my daughter’s father, Luis Bretón, whose energy and devotion seriously push me to do more. He is, no doubt, her favorite. And he works hard at it. From convincing her to root for basketball star Lebron James, rapping lullabies that’ll put her to sleep in minutes, and always cheering her on in soccer, he honestly deserves all her love. “She’s made me a better person,” he says with a laugh.