It's been five years since Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan made an open call to black men nationwide to attend the Million Man March, and this year, many of the entertainment industry's biggest names are supporting him in his efforts to rally to address the state of the nation's families.

Russell Simmons, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Whitney Houston, and Bobby Brown have joined Farrakhan on the executive planning board of the Million Family March, an event which, according to its mission statement, will rally political support for "National Agenda 2000-2008," an initiative of several public policy issues and programs affecting the quality of life for all races in the U.S.

Combs, who leads the Million Family March co-chair committee, recently talked to MTV News about his role as a family man and the responsibility artists have to their children.

[article id="1441695"]"One thing about the beauty of children

is that they don't really judge you,"[/article] Puffy said. [article id="1441695"]"And when you are in an industry where you get judged so much and you are always under the spotlight, they don't really care that I am Puff Daddy. The only thing that they really care about is that I am their father.[/article]

[article id="1441695"]"As far as making sure that I'm there for them and we spend time with each other, I make sure that I take out the time to make sure that they are priority in my schedule,"[/article] he continued. [article id="1441695"]"I don't get it twisted where it's more important for me to [do something other] than be at [a] dance recital for one of my kids or to watch a baseball game.... Yeah, it's definitely the simple things." [RealVideo][/article]

Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, Common, Eve, Dead Prez, Ice Cube, DMX, and Snoop Dogg have also loaned their names to the entertainment committee, while Reverend Run, Macy

Gray, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, and Kelly Price are slated to perform at the event, which is scheduled to take place on October 16 in Washington, D.C.