This book on African American males presents the first step in an ongoing exploration of the relationship between parenting and academic achievement among African American children. Subjects of the study were high-achieving members of the Meyerhoff Scholars, young African Americans distinguished for their achievement. The Meyerhoff Scholar program was created at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for talented African American students interested in research careers in science and engineering. Interviews with 47 male Meyerhoff Scholars, 38 mothers, and 29 fathers gathered information about these academically successful young men. Chapter 1, "Successful African American Males and Their Families," sets the context for the book, and chapter 2, "Father-Son Relationships: The Father's Voice," shows the significant role fathers have played in the development of these students. Chapter 3, "Mother-Son Relationships: The Mother's Voice," explores the roles of mothers and the investment they have in their sons. In chapter 4, "The Son's Perspective," and chapter 5, "Parenting and Educating for Success in Math and Science: From Early Childhood to College," the emphasis is on the sons and their achievements. Chapter 6, "Parenting African American Males for the Twenty-first Century: What We Have Learned," offers specific advice and guidance on essential strategies for effective parenting: (1) child-focused love; (2) strong limit setting and discipline; (3) continually high expectations; (4) open, consistent, and strong communication; (5) positive racial identification and positive male identification; and (6) drawing on community resources. The voices of these successful students are heard throughout the book, and they provide the most effective evidence of the importance of this approach. (Contains 195 references.) (SLD)