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Colbert Williams was 16 years old when he became a father. Here, he talks with his son, Nathan—who is now 15 years old—about raising a child as a young single parent.
Along with being a father to Nathan, Colbert has taken in three foster children, two of which he is in the process of adopting.
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Piece Description
Colbert Williams was 16 years old when he became a father. Here, he talks with his son, Nathan—who is now 15 years old—about raising a child as a young single parent.
Along with being a father to Nathan, Colbert has taken in three foster children, two of which he is in the process of adopting.
Transcript
NW: What were you thinking when I was born?
CW: I guess being a sixteen-year-old who came from a situation where there wasn’t a father you know, my confidence was as low as it could get because I realized that I was going to be responsible for some person so I was scared. I had to start going into parenting groups where they would not normally have a sixteen-year-old boy and you know, I become more confident. I think the more you practice and learn the better you get at it. What’s it like growing up with a teenage father?
NW: Since you’re younger, it’s easier for me to like speak to you…we be on the same level.
CW: Yeah. Is there anything you wanted to tell me but haven’t?
NW: I…I’m proud of you cause you’re a really good father.
CW: CW: Wow (laughter). I’m proud of you—see I ain’t trying to get all sentimental (laughter). But I’m proud of you. I think the reason I’m so prou...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:It's Friday and time for StoryCorps, the project that records conversations between friends and loved ones.
Colbert (COAL-bert) Williams was just sixteen when he became a father...
And he raised his son as a single-dad...
His son, Nathan, is now a teenager himself.
And, recently the pair spoke at StoryCorps.
OUTRO:Colbert Williams with his son Nathan at StoryCorps in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Today, Colbert is a father of four. He's raising 3 foster sons along with Nathan.
This interview will be archived at the Library of Congress along with ALL StoryCorps recordings.
The podcast is at NPR Dot Org
Additional Credits
NPR, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Atlantic Philanthropies
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