Many African American males are headed down the wrong paths in school and society, but that's mostly because we as a community do not understand the challenges they face. In this guide, Dr. Alfred Brinkley, an African American studies scholar and alternative school administrator, explores how to boost the odds of success for at-risk, African American males. He focuses on helping teachers, parents, and students to promote a lifetime love of reading; narrow the achievement gap; encourage self-esteem and intrinsic motivation; and hone parenting and mentoring skills. Leaving your comfort zone and learning why this group of students needs support can better equip you to establish a relationship based on mutual respect. Educating, inspiring, and motivating at-risk African American males requires a support system that can prepare them to succeed. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community leaders can begin to do their part with Courageous Expectations.

Today, young Black men are more likely to be killed or sent to prison than to graduate from college. Yet, despite all the obstacles, some are achieving at the highest academic and professional levels. Beating the Odds tells their remarkable stories and shows us what African American families have done to raise academically successful sons, sons who are among the top two percent of African American males in terms of SAT scores and grades. The result of extensive and innovative research, Beating the Odds goes beyond mere analysis--and beyond the relentlessly negative media images--to show us precisely how young Black men can succeed despite the roadblocks of racism, the temptations of crime and drugs, and a popular culture that values being "cool" over being educated. By interviewing parents and children from a range of economic and educational backgrounds and from both single and two-parent homes, the authors identify those constants that contribute to academic achievement and offer step-by-step guidance on six essential strategies for effective parenting: child-focused love; strong limit-setting and discipline; continually high expectations; open, consistent, and strong communication; positive racial identity and positive male identity; and full use of community resources. The proof of the effectiveness of such strategies is in the sons themselves, who speak eloquently in these pages about their struggles and successes in both the classroom and the often hostile world that surrounds it. Essential reading for parents, teachers, and school administrators, Beating the Odds offers insight, guidance, and hope for anyone concerned about the plight of young African American men and the society they live in.

Discusses a six-step strategy of effective parenting: child love, strong setting and discipline, high expectations, strong communication, and full use of community resources.

Volume 1 in the two volume set about overcoming the odds in African American Education.

This book is about making fond memories and spending quality time with family. Our nine-year-old Kamran enjoys playing and having fun at his grandparent's house. He finds various ways to do just that, but it is so much fun to do it anyway. Nana and Grammiedad are the best grandparents ever! We don't always follow the rules, but they love us anyway. Mrs. Jessie Brinkley is an author, a retired middle school teacher, African American Studies Scholar, Family History & Ancestry Researcher, consultant, former Teacher of the Year, and retired Sunday School teacher. She promotes African American history and culture and has a passion for helping underserved and disadvantaged children. Dr. Alfred Brinkley is an author, an African American Studies Scholar, a consultant, life coach and motivational speaker. He has written two other books which are entitled, Courageous Expectations Improving the Odds for at-risk African American Males, and Empowered from Within, A Guidebook for Students, a resource for Parents and Teachers. Dr. Brinkley is a retired Engineer, Public School Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Alternative School Administrator, and At-Risk Coordinator. Dr. and Mrs. Brinkley are the co-authors of two other books, "Let's Be Smart" and "A Smart School of Fish." As the presiding officers and owners of Courageous Expectations Consulting LLC, supporting and promoting the commitment to volunteerism, self-knowledge, history and culture, self-respect, self-discipline and personal self-sufficiency. To book or connect with the Brinkleys, email them at: [email protected] or visit www.courageousexpectationsconsulting.com

When Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males appeared in 1998, it was hailed as "a crucial book" (Baltimore Sun) and "undoubtedly one of the most important tools the African American parent can possess" (Kweisi Mfume, President NAACP). Now, in response to enormous demand, the authors turn their attention to African American young women. Statistics indicate that African American females, as a group, fare poorly in the United States. Many live in single-parent households-either as the single-parent mother or as the daughter. Many face severe economic hurdles. Yet despite these obstacles, some are performing at exceptional levels academically. Based on interviews with many of these successful young women and their families, Overcoming the Odds provides a wealth of information about how and why they have succeeded--what motivates them, how their backgrounds and family relationships have shaped them, even how it feels to be a high academic achiever. They also discuss the challenges of moving into African American womanhood, from maintaining self-esteem to making the right choices about their professional and personal lives. Most important, the book offers specific and inspiring examples of the practices, attitudes, and parenting strategies that have enabled these women to persevere and triumph. For parents, educators, policy makers, and indeed all those concerned about the education of young African American women, Overcoming the Odds is an invaluable guidebook on creating the conditions that lead to academic-and lifelong-success.