Brandon and Kalani then formed a special bond and the entire family has been pretty inseparable. Although Brandon is not Kalani's biological father, he has worked to teach him the same lessons any male role model should. 

“I try to instill in him hard work, being a responsible young man and being accountable for his actions and not blaming others and love and compassion for those less fortunate,” Brandon told HuffPost. 

“Dad, I know today is supposed to be all about me, but today is really about us,” Kalani read from a handwritten letter. 

Eventually the 10-year-old asked for an official adoption to seal their father/son bond forever. As soon as the words left Kalani's mouth, tears freely flowed down Brandon's face. 

“I was thinking, ‘I earned this,’” Brandon told HuffPost. “Most parents automatically get their child’s love. I had to grind for this, I had to show him I’m not going anywhere. So since I have had to work hard for his love, I don’t take it for granted. So it was an honor and one of the greatest moments of my life.”

“It’s humbling, because I feel as though it’s putting a positive light on Black fathers and families,” Brandon told HuffPost. “Black fatherhood is everything!!! To know that I’m raising a young prince into being a king is a[n] awesome feeling.”