Adolescent Boys: Exploring Diverse Cultures of Boyhood (Book)
Niobe Way and Judy Chu, Editors. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2004.

Three authors in this edited collection address the needs of African American boys. Howard Stevenson takes up the issue of racial socialization and neighborhood safety in an essay entitled "Boys in Men’s Clothing." Elena Jefferies inquires about issue of trust among African American, Latino and Asian American boys in "Experiences of Trust with Parents: A Qualitative Investigation." The third essay, by Michael Cunningham and Leah N. Meunier, addresses "The Influence of Peer Experiences on Bravado Attitudes among African American Males."

Aging, Spirituality, and Religion: A Handbook (Volume 2) (Book)
Marvin A. Kimble and Susan H. McFadden, Editors. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

The spirituality of a congregation’s most senior members is often taken for granted. However, this volume suggests in working with seniors, there are many fertile areas of growth as well as assumptions that must be overcome. While several of the chapters may prove helpful (such as chapters on late light spiritual potential, becoming a spiritual elder, and God's presence even in the midst of Alzheimer’s) the chapter by Richard Wallace on the "Theological View of Aging that Permeates the African American Experience" may prove especially valuable.

Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategies for Change (Book)
Obie Clayton, Ronald B. Mincy, and David Blankenhorn, Authors. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation, 2003.

Three leading voices in the fatherhood movement join forces to chronicle what they have learned as they have worked with fathers, families, institutions and systems across the country. In particular the strategies for change they articulate may have import for the African American church.

Boys into Men: Raising Our African American Teenage Sons (Book)
Nancy Boyd-Franklin and A.J. Franklin, Authors. New York, NY: Penguin USA, 2001.

Nancy Boyd-Franklin is held to be one of the preeminent clinical practitioners. As an African American woman and mother she brings her knowledge as a parent of color and as a psychotherapist to bear of the African American family and offers insight into the process of rearing teenage African American males. Available for download as an e-book.

Building Up Zion's Walls: Ministry for Empowering the African American Family (Book)
James C. Perkins, Author. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1999.

This in-depth manual is a blueprint for ministry to the African American family. It covers crucial ways of affecting families today: reaching out to African American males, developing faith, creating youth ministry models, encouraging parent-teen communication, and nurturing marriage.

Christian Education in the African American Church: A Guide for Teaching the Truth (Book)
Lora-Ellen McKinney, Author. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2003.

Christian education is focused on the story of Jesus and the relationship between his life and teachings and the life of those who are his followers. McKinney asks the African American church to consider how Christian education can be offered as a powerful source of applicable truth for all members of the church.

Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind? (Book)
Michael Eric Dyson, Author. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2005.

Controversial and prophetic, Dyson asks the church and the community to come to grips with the ever widening gap between the economic poles of the African American community. Particularly fruitful is his investigation into the on-going intergenerational dynamics in the community.

Mutuality Matters: Family, Faith, and Just Love (Book)
Herbert Anderson, Edward Foley, Bonnie Miller-McLemore, and Robert Schreiter, Editors. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2003.

The chapters in this volume of essays speak to the role of faith and love in the development of healthy families. However, the chapters by Anthony J. Gittens, "The Black Church’s Response to Father Absence in the African American Community" and Homer Ashby, "More than a Family Affair: Reflections on Baptizing Children" add to a congregation’s understanding of its role in the development of productive and effective family structures.

Noise and Spirit: The Religious and Spiritual Sensibilities of Rap Music (Book)
Anthony B. Pinn, Author. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2003.

The world of rap music has made its presence felt in every corner of the African American community, even the church. Noted public theologian Anthony Pinn gathers together the thoughts of several African American scholars and assesses the connection, or the lack thereof, between rap music and spirituality.

Overcoming the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Young Women (Book)
Freeman A. Hrabowski, Kenneth I. Maton, Monica L. Greene and Geoffrey L. Greif, Authors. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2002.

The role of the family, the culture, and the community are taken up as threads in the development of successful African American young women. Profiles of the parents of successful young women as well as lessons learned from the authors are offered for the reader’s consideration.

Raise Up A Child: Human Development in an African American Family (Book)
Edith V.P. Hudley, Author. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, 2003.

The role of the extended family is examined as a factor in the proper rearing of children. Special attention is paid to the role of grandmothers in the family dynamic.

Reaching Up for Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America (Book)
Geoffrey Canada, Author. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1999.

Although Reaching Up for Manhood leans heavily toward the "growing up" problems of African American boys, it provides powerful new insights into the lives of all boys in America today. It can also be important reading for those concerned with better understanding the interaction between the sexes. Canada’s style renders the book very intimate, as well as easily and quickly readable. It is an excellent guide for clergy and laity alike.

Render Unto God: Economic Vulnerability, Family Violence, and Pastoral Theology (Book)
James N. Poling, Author. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2002.

The noted pastoral theologian, James N. Poling suggests that unfair economic practices affect communities across the globe, especially women and children. Poling focuses on the particular impact of these practices on the African American community and suggests a new way of reading the Gospel of Mark as a way to transform the pastoral care provided by the church in response to the needs of the poor.

Talkin' Back: Raising and Educating Resilient Black Girls (Book)
Deirdre G. Paul, Author. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003.

The status of black women in the contemporary United States is addressed in this book. Particular emphasis is placed on coping with the legacy of slavery, the roles of parents in care giving, and the role of schools and community in supporting young women.

Urban Youth Alliance International (Organization)

Urban Youth Alliance International (UYAI) is an interndenominational, intercultural, indigenous Christian youth ministry located in the South Bronx. UYAI is marked by a commitment to holistic ministry, youth empowerment, decentralized grassroots leadership, multicultural unity, social justice, and to Jesus as Savior and Lord.