Doughtry Long is Nia Long's father, who was a beloved teacher and author. The actress got to learn more about her father after his death during a week-long visit to the hometown where he grew up.
Besides being a well-known actress with several accolades in her belt, Nia Long had a tight bond with her father, Doughtry Long Jr., one of twins Jessie Wooden and Doughtry Long welcomed on March 14, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Doughtry Jr. grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. As a lifelong scholar, he studied at West Virginia State College before earning his Master's degree in Urban Studies from the College of New Jersey. For over 30 years, he was a teacher.
Doughtry Jr. was a literature and creative writing teacher at Trenton Central High School. When he wasn't teaching, Nia's father enjoyed jazz, traveling the world, poetry, and fishing. He was so passionate about teaching that he even extended his services to the Trenton State Prison, where he organized the African American Studies Program.
Doughtry Jr. also worked as a community development specialist with West Africa's Peace Corps. Besides being a teacher, he was also an author, who wrote two volumes of poetry and a chapter book, apart from dedicating a children's book to his grandchildren.
Some of his books include "[Broadside]: Ginger Bread Mama," "Song for Nia," "Rules for Cool," and "Black Love, Black Hope." Sadly for the actress, she lost Doughtry Jr. unexpectedly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Nia Long's Father Doughtry Long Jr.'s Death
On January 27, 2020, Doughtry Jr. passed away at age 77. The following month, Nia opened up about the loss, describing her late father as a "great man." She explained how she'd learned more about Doughtry Jr. during a week-long stay in his hometown, Trenton, following his death.
The California resident said her father was a legend in his community and did much for the children there. Doughtry Jr.'s daughter shared how proud she was of him. She revealed that he was versatile and was a photographer, poet, writer, and renaissance man. The actress disclosed her father's love for jazz and good food and described him as "Larenz Tate in 'Love Jones' but older."
Following Doughtry Jr.'s death, Trenton High paid tribute to him in a beautiful way—through poetry, with some of his old students in attendance. Of the touching tribute, Nia expressed:
"I could not stop crying. I was like this is amazing."
The star noted that sometimes, what people couldn't do for their children, they did for the world, and she was okay with sharing her father, whom she continued to honor after his death, keeping his memory alive.
Almost a month after her father's death, Nia admitted to being angry and disappointed by him.
How One of Doughtry Long's Children, Nia Long, Paid Tribute to Him after His Death
On January 30, 2020, days after Doughtry Jr.'s death, Nia took to her Instagram account to honor him. Alongside the cover of his "Black Love, Black Hope" book, she noted how he had been Black and proud. She also wrote:
"Love you Daddy. I wonder whatcha doin. Missing you."
In March of the same year, she uploaded a throwback picture of her father from what looked like a school yearbook and wrote, "Daddy" with a red heart emoticon next to it. She returned with another photo of Doughtry Jr. and herself in June 2020.
The actress revealed how they cried together that day before he passed on a month later. She confessed to missing him as she wished the author a "Happy Heavenly Father's Day." Although Nia seemed to have a good relationship with her father, things weren't always easy.
Nia Long on Forgiving Her Father, Doughtry Long Jr.
Almost a month after her father's death, Nia admitted to being angry and disappointed by Doughtry Jr., who never read bedtime stories to her or did any of the things many fathers did, as she expected. Being old school and a Black man, Doughtry Jr. was raised to survive while Nia's grandmother and mother also had different life philosophies.
The star believed she might've still chosen acting as a career if her parents hadn't divorced, but she thought it would have happened less quickly. She was turning 50 that year and was enjoying that phase of her life because she was able to put things into perspective and make them sensible.
Doughtry Long, Nia Long, and Ime Udoka at the Broadway opening night for "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" on August 2, 2012, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Doughtry Jr.'s daughter explained how she felt more alive and free than ten years before because she already understood. She had forgiven herself by then for not forgiving others sooner or forgiving her father for things he wasn't able to do. Nia believed that was a good thing to do.
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