“At a time when it is sorely needed, Warrior Rising inspires hope and offers a roadmap to raising our young men to more than survive, but thrive as confident and successful community builders and leaders. MaryAnne provides us with a close up and personal story that illuminates the role and impact we as men have on the future of all of our sons, and our daughters as well.”

–Michael Powell, president, NCTA

“As MaryAnne Howland reminds us, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But it takes a child to raise a village. How many adults hear and understand the calling of youth today to be initiated? So they learn not only the rights and responsibilities of adulthood, but come to know the psychic death and soul rebirth necessary to accomplish that transition? MaryAnne Howland heard the call, rose to the challenge, and blessed us all with a roadmap. ”

–Frederick Marx, co-writer, Hoop Dreams, warriorfilms.org

An eye-opening look at one mother’s determination to provide positive male role models for her son, and the power of great mentoring to change lives.

When MaryAnne Howland’s son was turning thirteen she organized a “Black Mitzvah” rite of passage celebration for him. Max is one of the one-in-three children in America being raised without a father in the home. Among African-Americans, that number is reported to be as high as 72 percent. To help fill the father-shaped hole in Max’s life as he transitioned from boyhood to manhood, MaryAnne invited four men from different corners of her life –an engineer, a philanthropist, a publisher, and a financial planner–to become Max’s mentors.

Max has faced many challenges. As a boy without a consistent father figure in his life, as an African-American male in a time when race relations in this country continue to be fraught, and also because Max was born premature and as a result has cerebral palsy, he has had to be a true warrior. On the brink of manhood, his mother wanted to give him the benefit of men who could answer some of the questions she felt that she, as a woman, might not be able to answer. Through his adolescence, Max’s mentors have shared valuable insights with him about what it means to be a good man in the face of life’s challenges. These lessons, recounted in this book, will serve as a powerful roadmap for anyone wishing to support boys as they approach manhood.

THE MOVEMENT

I first heard of the idea of a “Black Mitzvah” from a friend many years ago who used the term to describe how she had enlisted some very special men in her life to mentor her son. I was intrigued and could immediately see the value of this kind of group parenting. So I borrowed and expanded upon her idea to create a celebration that would forever imprint the commencement of my son’s journey into manhood. As I began to design my son’s Black Mitzvah, I remained focused on the idea that it would be a creative expression of love, learning, mentorship, and community. As it turned out, what began as a celebration has turned into a life-long commitment from four men – warriors for just us.

The Black Mitzvah is a rite of passage for young people to instill confidence, self-esteem and moral values in every child. The idea has spurred a movement. No matter whether you are single, married, Black, White, Baptist, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, or however you identify, we are all part of a community and we can all help each other raise our children and should. As the saying goes: “It takes a village.”

Welcome to a new community of parents and mentors committed to raising the next generation of leaders and global citizens.

Start with these 3 questions:

Learn more about the Ask, customizing your child’s celebration, and defining the roles of his/her mentors in THE PAGES OF Warrior Rising.

For more information about your own Black Mitzvah or other questions, email MARYANNE HOWLAND

Order your copy of Warrior Rising today and join the movement