Category: Culture

Break the Cycle: Empowering Black Fathers to Save Our Sons
This article highlights the challenges young black males face and explores how black fathers can play a crucial role in changing the trajectory of future generations.

We sit and listen. Pastor Trevor Allen asked me to participate in a conference to bring Christian men together to discuss various topics, including new business start-ups, entrepreneurship, financial literature, mental wellness, and career planning. I was thrilled to be on a speaking panel with some distinguished men. What was absent from this equation was a group of young men who could have benefited from this knowledge. All these successful black men served as role models to the next generation of leaders. The question in the background of this conference was how to help the plight of today’s young black men.

Who will save our sons from destruction? Numerous institutions in the United States, ranging from the educational system to healthcare, have failed young black boys. Who will step in to rescue them? Black parents and child advocates nationwide are sounding the alarm on the crisis faced by young black boys. When Reggie Jenkins and I wrote our book, A Call to Destiny: How to Create Effective Ways to Assist Black Boys in America, we analyzed the challenges young black boys face in the country. We discovered some troubling trends. If left unaddressed, young black boys, regardless of social class, will not survive in the 21st century. While some pundits and political operatives attempt to attribute the issues faced by black boys to irresponsible parenting and pop culture, millions and millions of black boys are falling victim daily to unemployment, incarceration, gang influences, drug addiction, and premature death. Although Father’s Day has passed this month, this article sheds light on the struggles of black boys in the United States and urges black fathers to take the lead in finding solutions to save our sons.

Caption: Baptist Temple Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, held a men’s weekend retreat (“3-D Men: Developed, Disciplined, Discipled”) to solve the problems confronting local black communities.

Today’s society encourages young black boys to aspire to become entertainers and sports heroes rather than scientists, lawyers, or doctors. The media portrays young black boys as dangerous, violent, and overly sexualized. Are we genuinely concerned about Joey’s lack of intellectual prowess if he can dunk a basketball or score a touchdown for our team? Generally, boys across America may not achieve as well as we desire. However, the narrative surrounding black boys is particularly alarming. Young black males are at the forefront of numerous negative statistics imaginable.

Consider these statistics:
- According to the US Bureau of Justice, Black men face a much higher chance of being incarcerated. Black men are overrepresented among prisoners by a factor of five (32% v. 6%).
- In 2021, full-time Black males had median earnings of $46,065, while all men had median earnings of $60,428.
- In 2019, 28% of Black men ages 25-29 had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 30% of Black women, over 40% of white men, and nearly half of white women, according to the National Center of Education Statistics in 2019.
- According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Black men die four years earlier than White men (for Black men, that gap is over nine years—showing that Black men are more likely to die prematurely).
From the low social condition of black boys, it is easy to understand that every major institution has failed them and allowed them to become the prey of urban culture. Reggie Jenkins, founder/director of UUNIK Academy of Tennessee, notes, “We are in a state of emergency. Today’s culture, aided by mass media, bombards impressionable youth with conflicting value systems.” Unfortunately, many youths underperform so that they can fit in. Today’s black students lack role models in education. A child can go K-12 without ever having a black teacher or a black mentor.

Caption: Baptist Temple Church Pastor Trevor Allen brought experts to discuss various men topics, including careers, entrepreneurship, mental health, financial management, and boys’ mentorship.

Despite some folks’ opinions about fathers, fathers are critical for the development of their children. Black boys are no exception. Rev. Trevor Allen, pastor of the Baptist Temple Church (Shreveport, Louisiana), outlines the critical need for black fathers to take a stand. He explains, “Black fathers must take an interest in the well-being of their sons and other young people. Many young people have no positive male figures/models, which many cases show.

Our fathers also have to help young ladies know the kinds of men that need to be aspiring to date and marry.” Weather TV Personality Al Roker adds, “When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” There is an urgent need to save this generation of boys. Here are some practical strategies for today’s Black fathers:
- Fight the negative images of black boys displayed by the media and other traditional institutions.
- Foster a positive relationship with your sons.
- Model the way in terms of your character.
- Consider mentoring and coaching other boys who do not have a positive father in the home.
- Keep abreast of the current trends and issues involving the Black communities (black males specifically).
- Stay involved with your son(s) activities (school, church, extracurricular).
- Provide positive male role models.
- Take control of your life by developing and implementing a personal action plan daily.
America is facing a significant issue as it witnesses the absence of millions of fathers in today’s households. The black community is not exempt from this predicament. The challenges faced by Black males in the United States are widely recognized. Expecting the government or non-profit organizations alone to resolve this dilemma is unrealistic.

Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

This article highlights the urgent need for practical solutions for today’s black boys in the United States. Black fathers have the power to spearhead these solutions and save this generation. If we allow black boys to become a threatened group, we will ultimately pave the way for all American children to suffer the same fate. Let us pray there is still time to act and make a difference.

© 2023 by D. D. Green

About Dr. Daryl D. Green:

Dr. Daryl D. Green is a business strategist, speaker, and noted author. He is the Vice President of Marketing at AGSM Consulting LLC. He is the author of the business book Small Business Marketing. This expert is a father and grandfather.

Dr. Green has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and the Associated Press. He provides consulting guidance and management training for today’s small businesses. Additionally, Dr. Green is an award-winning college professor developing new innovative approaches for today’s small businesses. For more information about this article or business assistance, please get in touch with Dr. Green at drdarylgreen@gmail.com or visit www.drdarylgreen.com.

Featured Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash
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“I was ready! In my early 40s, I started thinking about retiring early. I sat through my organization’s mid-career retirement classes and had gotten several retirement estimates (i.e., different retirement years). I had kept myself marketable by continuing to take advantage of career opportunities and obtaining additional education in my professional field. Some co-workers mocked me because they said any scholarly education would not advance my career.
Yet, I felt that professional growth and a continual learning mindset would only increase my value in the market. I had developed an exit strategy. Working with my friend (Dr. Gary Roberts), I had mapped out a future purpose in academia. I could fully utilize my professional experience while at the same time applying my other skill sets. However, things did not work out as planned. The time and opportunities did not align with my plans. In fact, it took 9 years and more than 200 job applications for the exit strategy to work. Because I was patient and adaptable, God opened up a door, which was much better than my initial plan. Having an exit strategy was invaluable!”
Are you happy with your current job? In general, US employees are satisfied with their work life. According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study, about half (49%) of American workers say they are very satisfied with their current job. Yet, 30% of them are somewhat satisfied, and the remainder says they are slightly dissatisfied (9%) or very dissatisfied (6%). (more…)

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Video

President Trump and North Korea’s Leader Kim Jong Un have hurdle insults at each other (especially through social media) for months. President Trump proclaimed about Kim: “The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.” Kim fires back to Trump: “If the American imperialists provoke us a bit, we will not hesitate to slap them with a pre-emptive nuclear strike. The United States must choose! It’s up to you whether the nation called the United States exists on this planet or not.” This rhetoric between the two leaders have many citizens worried about a nuclear war. (more…)

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In June of 1995, the Jury in the OJ Simpson trial announced a verdict of not guilty. The aftermath of dismal reactions highlighted significant conflicts and diverging views in America’s workplaces. In fact, white and black people had a different perspective on the OJ Simpson Trial and life in general. Eighty-three percent of whites stated that Simpson was “definitely” or “probably” guilty while only fifty-seven percent of blacks agreed with this assessment. Rather than carefully assessing one’s own viewpoint when evaluating a different culture, most individuals make assumptions about other cultures definitely.
Sadly, we still have not learned this lesson in the United States. The last several days have been very hectic as I try to answer students’ questions and address my own concerns about a recent Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary gaff that has provided another headwind for others sharing the Good News. Let me say that we have all done foolish things and have suffered the consequences. Most of us have had to debase the impacts of this photo on our popular culture to our students and others.
In the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth (TX), five seminary professors, including the dean of the School of Preaching, put on gangster-style clothing (perhaps dressing like urban rappers), flashing their gold chains and one holding a handgun. Written above the photo were the words “Notorious S.O.P,” which was a reference to the seminary’s School of Preaching and to the black rapper, Notorious B.I.G.

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May 13, 2017
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As my wife and I have danced ballroom in various states and different dance studios, we have not seen many black people doing ballroom dancing. African-Americans have made significant contributions in all walks of life, dance is no exception. Black History Month gives us a time to remember the pioneers of dance, including Josephine Baker and the Dance Theatre of Harlem and glance at the future. When you start talking about ballroom dancing, everyone thinks about the ABC’s hit show, Dancing With the Stars, that pairs up celebrities with professional dance partners in an intense ballroom competition. There are a few African Americans involved with ballroom dancing in the nation. In this session, we will examine how dance studios can better target African American communities by reaching an untapped market.

Click Here (more…)

February 13, 2017
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Amidst turmoil across the world, there is still good among us. Living in Tennessee, I had the opportunity to witness the exemplary character of Coach Pat Head Summitt, former head coach of University of Tennessee Lady Vols. I would like to pay my own tribute to this special leader in our community. Most people affectionately called her ‘Coach Pat.’
Coach Summitt lived a life of purpose from a humble beginning. Her success in life was incredible: Coach Summitt achieved 1,098 career wins, the most in NCAA basketball history. She won 8 NCCA championships – and the Lady Vols never missed an NCAA tournament under Coach Summitt.[1] In one NCAA tournament, Summitt posted a 112-23 record, achieving a Division I record with the 112 wins. Additionally, she won two Olympic medals: one as a coach and one as a player, alongside numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. [2] (more…)

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In 2012, Desmond Hatchett, a Knoxville resident, made a big impression in the news. At the time, the 33 year old man was requesting relieve from his child support payments. According to news sources, Hatchett had 30 children by 11 different women. However, Hatchett struggled with his financial commitments with his children due to his low paying minimum wage job. For many people across the nation, this story struck a moral cord. (more…)

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Line of multi-ethnic mothers holding their babies

Here’s a tribute to all good mothers this month! I want to especially thank my mother, Annette Green Elias, and my wife, Estraletta Andrews Green, for being two godly women in my life. [I want to share an excerpt from one of my 2012 columns.]
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Helen was a highly successful career woman. Her star shined bright in her corporation. Yet, in spite of these corporate accomplishments, Helen had no meaningful relationships. Her husband was distanced due to Helen’s businesslike approaches to her. Helen’s three children resent her because she was emotional absent in their lives. On the dark days when Helen was alone and uninterrupted, she longed for more meaningful relationships.
During a Christmas banquet, Pastor Nathan Wilson was the keynote speaker and led a lively topic on All I Want for Christmas Is You. In his speech, Pastor Wilson harked on the true meaning of Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christmas instead of the commercialization of the holidays. (more…)

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