Southpoint Access

A SoDu Dad's Reflection on Father's Day

Southpoint Access publisher Wes Platt reflects on the small, everyday acts of parenting that help shape families, strengthen communities, and inspire the work of local journalism.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
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A SoDu Dad's Reflection on Father's Day
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I wasn't planning to write a Father's Day message this year. After all, Southpoint Access is an independent local news publication, not a greeting card company.

But as I sat down to work this morning, during the month when I'm hitting the second birthday of this full-time job working for you, my neighbors, it occurred to me that being a father is one of the reasons Southpoint Access exists in the first place.

I became focused on Durham Public Schools again, for example, because John Michael and Athena go to school here. Our family is directly affected by programs like Growing Together, the district's afterschool and summer camp opportunities, free breakfasts and lunches.

They're why I started blogging about South Durham back in 2024. And they're why I'm still here with the newsletter. Like a lot of parents around here, I'm often thinking about schools, parks, traffic, housing developments, local businesses, and the kind of community we're building for our children.

Being a dad has taught me that communities aren't often built by grand gestures. They're built through consistency. Showing up. Paying attention. Helping when you can. Listening when it matters.

That's true too for local news.

So today, I'm grateful. Grateful for my children. Grateful for my family. Grateful for the opportunity top do this work. And grateful for the the neighbors who read and support Southpoint Access, and who care enough about South Durham to stay informed and involved.

Whether you're celebrating, remembering, mentoring, parenting, or just spending time with people you love today, I hope it's a good one.

Happy Father's Day,

Wes Platt
Neighborhood News Guy

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