Eric T Ferguson
Changing from Boys to Men: The Importance of Mentoring African American Boys is a short guide that deals with the subject of mentoring in a time in our history in which boys of color are targeted, categorized as “at risk”, are dying more frequently at the hands of those who view them as threats to our society, and even more sadly dying at the hands of each other. The book’s navigates through six principles of mentoring as it relates to the role of Black men who have the power to help mold these boys into men.Changing from Boys to Men: The Importance of Mentoring African American Boys is based on the desired to encourage men of color to step up in their communities and do their parts to change the narrative of the negative stereotypes placed on our Black boys. This book is written from the author’s perspective as Black father and long time mentor, who understands the importance of having a positive mentor to the development of our Black boys to guide them into positive contributors to our society; not dependents of it. The intent of this short read is to engage men of color from all walks of life to answer the charge of mentoring, not just those who they are directly responsible for, but those who are in our communities who do not have a Black male influence to relate to. The tone of this read is set in a way that all men of color, regardless of socio-economic class can relate, respond, and react to the necessity of mentorship, turning a small, yet consistent investment of time in the young Black male demographic into lives that not only matter to the African- American community, but to all of God’s people.
