About the Book...
I have been blessed to have grown up in a house where I was loved and made to feel
that I am somebody. A lot has and continues to be written about black males and
how many of them are:
*incarcerated
*don’t graduate from high school
*don’t attend college
*have low academic scores in school
*unemployed or underemployed, and
*how many die each year from drugs, alcohol and other violent crimes.
It is because of this that I never got caught up in feeling I was inferior, or was
never attracted to crime, violence or other negative behavior. I must thank my parents,
all my teachers, elementary, high school and college professors, for their encouragement,
love, and support during the years I was blessed to have them as a part of my life.
I recognize now that my success and position in life would not have been possible
without the love and support of family and friends. This book represents years of
observing, mentoring and thinking about young people and how their lives are influenced
by people they come in contact with. The title and contents of each chapter is intended
to speak to something within you to make you want to do more.
About the Author...
John P. Dortch, the small town Alabama country boy, as he calls himself, is today
a professional businessman in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the owner and president/CEO
of The Preston Joan Group, Inc. He is a partner in D.K.J. Holdings, LLC, a partner
in The Pontiac Group, LLC, and owner of Unique Touch Salon. John serves on several
boards and is very involved in his church, Turner Chapel A.M.E., where he is vice
chairperson f the Trustee-board, President of the Sons of Allen, and a Sunday School
Teacher. As a successful entrepreneur John has written numerous articles and done
presentations to various groups.
“In My Father’s House is a powerful, clear, lesson and message about how to be a
responsible adult, thoughtful person, and truly helpful father. Better known experts
have written about these subjects, but none have written a better book. John Dortch’s
life experiences, shared in his book, provide a guide to get us all through life’s
hard times, and to make the good times in life even better.”
“Anyone reading this book will have a stronger foundation in all the important areas
of life.” “John Dortch is a careful observer of how discipline and hard work and
thoughtfulness determine the paths of our lives. Success requires an understanding
of all of them. This book shows how to make it work.”
Win Moses
Former Two Term Mayor, Fort Wayne, IN
Current Indiana State Representative