Discussing the correlation between one's self-conception and one's academic performance, this book explains African centered rites and the rituals and ceremonies behind them.

Bringing The Light Into A New Day provides a scaffolding to understand the purpose, function, structure, process and transformative power of the rites of passage process. Light is a metaphor for opportunity, hope and wisdom. Our light is our heritage, a dynamic interaction of the past and future to create new solutions for our present. If we do not bring this light into the new day, then we doom ourselves to be cast in the faint light of others’ interpretations of “our” capabilities. African-American families and communities must bring the light into the new day, so our children can see their unique genius. How to bring this light? African-centered Rites of Passage!

Exploring an important aspect of coming of age, this book examines how the black community can institutionalize rites of passage as part of the child-rearing process.

Her Rite of Passage presents a complete curriculum that shows you what to do to design and carry out a successful African-centered rites program from start to finish. This guidebook will help you: understand the rites of passage process, incorporate African-centered rituals and interactive activities into your program, develop a better understanding of the social and cultural orientation of African-American girls, facilitate weekly rap sessions and plan and organize the initiation retreat and crossover ceremony.

Her Rite of Passage will provide you with helpful tips, tools and strategies to design, develop and deliver a structured rites of passage program from the ground up. Although the program is designed for African-American girls, many of the program components and features can be used as a springboard for developing a rites of passage program for young women from any culture or group. What's Included In This Book Her Rite of Passage will show you how to: - Set up a rites of passage program from design to implementation; - Facilitate and implement the rap sessions; - Get buy-in from your organization; - Recruit participants a.k.a. initiates for your program; - Recruit volunteers; - Get parents involved; - Plan and organize the initiation retreat; - Plan and organize the crossover ceremony. In addition, Her Rite of Passage will also cover: - Adolescent female development and the unique issues that impact African-American girls. - The special dynamics that occur between African-American mothers and daughters; - The impact of the father/daughter relationship on a girl's social and emotional development. Throughout these pages you will find worksheets, exercises and suggested activities to help you create a solid rites program. Her Rite of Passage provides you with a framework, but it's up to you to make your program work - even if it means making adaptations to suit the needs of your program or conducting additional research in order to become more knowledgeable about the rites of passage process.

This resource introduces and supports a mentoring program that offers African American young men• Positive peer group involvement • Hands-on skill development • Knowledge of the African American culture • Relationship with Christian African American men as role models. This resource provides the tools and encouragement needed to help leaders of African American young men experience the joy of supporting and challenging youth to grow as Christ's disciples. Includes practical tips for getting started, a comprehensive leadership recruitment and training plan, complete meeting outlines and directions, reproducible pages for participants, and an interaction-oriented mentor's guide.

This book is a guide for parents seeking to design a rites-of-passage program for their adolescent youth and for parents considering such a program. Orita (meaning crossroads) prepares participants for adulthood by teaching life management skills in the context of African heritage and biblical principles. At the Orita celebration, family and community honor their youth and acknowledge their transition into adulthood. Parents are guided through every aspect of the design and planning of a program tailored for their youth. The program is also flexible and can be applied to families of various cultures.