Rites-of-Passage Program Empowers Young Black Males

Union, KY - For the past decade, people have heard the dismal reports on the state of black manhood. For example, an excessive number of black males are incarcerated. In 1999, 9.4% of all black males between 25-29 were in prison. In 2001, a Department of Justice study revealed that a black male born that year had a 1/3 chance of going to prison.

People have also heard that the African American family is at risk. The 2000 census revealed that 48% of black families were headed by women, and of those, 40% were living under the poverty level. In the new millennium, many now refer to black males as an endangered species.

Working towards solutions to these issues, many groups incorporate African traditions that speak to the mind, body and spirit. One of those traditions is Rites-of-Passage, supervised developmental processes that help young people on the journey from childhood to responsible adult. In adolescence young people often learn lessons through trial and error. Many times mistakes made during this period are life altering, leading to drug abuse, prison sentences and broken families. In Rites-of-Passage programs, young people learn about becoming adults under the supervision of elders (those 42 years of age and older) and peer counselors who have been through the program themselves.

Discussions and activities are relevant and timely, such as how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, how to develop responsible behaviors, improving relationships with others, and the importance of education. They teach young people about the changes happening in their minds and bodies as well as the responsibilities that come with those changes. Young people can examine their beliefs, values and thoughts in a non-threatening atmosphere.

According to Baba Koleoso Karade, aka Nashid Fakhrid-Deen, JD, Rites-of-Passage programs are a method of healing the black male. In his new book, Reaching Black Males Through Spirituality ($18.95, 296 pp., ISBN: 0-9745070-1-6) he states, "Today we search for ways to reach black males in reference to their education, career, social, and moral duties. Our African and Native American ancestors had the answer in their cultural educational systems."

This monumental work is the result of Karade's 25 years of experience working with African-American youth in higher education, as well as his personal spiritual journey. Karade was raised in the Baptist church, but also became an active minister in the Nation of Islam, an Imam of traditional Islam, studied with a Hindu Yogi, and in 1998 was initiated as a priest in the traditional African religion of Ifa. He blended his educational experience with aspects of African, Native American and Indian culture to create a specific Rites-of-Passage program, which speaks to the needs of black males. Koleoso has created a 9-month, three-phase program that flows with the earth's natural cycles, beginning at the Spring Equinox (March 21) and ending in the winter at the beginning of Kwanzaa. The curriculum is holistic, and includes subjects ranging from African & African-American history, sex education, social values, personal finance, and art. Educators, youth counselors, teachers and families can implement the entire program or incorporate aspects of it into their own practices. The program's goal is to develop healthy, culturally aware, responsible, BALANCED males. Through Rites-of-Passage programs such as these, young black males are initiated into manhood becoming the MEN so desperately needed in the community.

Reaching Black Males Through Spirituality, published by Shekhem Publishing, LLP sells for just $18.95. It can be obtained at local bookstores, libraries, or online.


"Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man was a fictional account that educated me on the stripping of Black Identity in America from slavery and 2nd class citizenship; however, Koleoso's Nonfictional account on Reaching Black Men Through Spirituality reclaims that Black Identity in a detailed, sincere, 'how to' format that is capable of reaching all African Americans no matter educational, economic, or religious background." - Tessaat Nefer Shekhem Ur Khufu, Editor - Shekhem Publishing, LLP


PRESS CONTACT: John McAtee, 859-384-4291, JMM@ShekhemPublishing.com