An overview is provided of issues confronting the African American male, along with a strategy to nurture a new generation of African American males. Chapters 1 and 2 focus on the social status and new demographics of the African American male and the external threats that are devastating to the African American male and the African American community. What happens to African American men who accept society's definition of manhood, but are denied the resources to demonstrate their masculinity, is discussed. Rites of passage and Afrocentricity are discussed. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the modern equivalents of ancient initiation rites, the 10 basic principles of educating and socializing African children, and the foundations and institutionalization of rites-of-passage for African American males. Rites-of-passage founded on centeredness, moral standards, rituals, and ceremonies can function as a guidance system for young males. The example of the Ohio Rites of Passage illustrates the difficulties involved in institutionalizing this approach to saving young African American males. An appendix contains a course of study, with program objectives and objectives for the student. (Contains 53 references.) (SLD)