Breaking the Mental Chains of Black Teenagers

The problems facing black youth are well known. Murder being the #1 cause of death for ages 10 to 24, a drop-out rate that far exceeds children of other races, and the amount of young black men going to prison is way too high. We all know the problems. Yaba Baker has spent most of his adult life looking for the solutions. 

Over the last 17 years he has spoke to at-risk black students in some of the worst schools in America. He has developed techniques over the 17 years which relays information in a way that tears through most teenagers "know it all" mentality.   The book entitled Breaking the Mental Chains of Black Teenagers lays out to Parents, teachers, and mentors (regardless of the teenager's socioeconomic background) these techniques to reach Black teenagers ranging from at-risk to the affluent.

 Yaba Baker has already tested the book's effectiveness with an at-risk 8th grade class in a Maryland public school. Over 4 weeks the class read Breaking the Mental Chains of Black Teenagers. Two or three chapters from the book were read for each session. Yaba would lead the class in a discussion about the information for that session. The results were startling!! Below are the quotes from the teacher and several of the students:

"The growth in my classroom was amazing and continuous. From the first conversation that Yaba had with my students until the very last day. Many students would constantly come to me during lunch to express how excited they were to learn this new information or to talk about it and have rich conversation. The rich conversation was the best to me, it means that they were utilizing their meta-cognitive thought processes. Yaba became a quick favorite in my class. The children were thirsting for more information and waited eagerly for his arrival every week.I was surprised by the number of students who came back to tell me about the reaction their parents had when they went home to share the information.  There were a number of students who also took it upon themselves to extend their new found information by doing research to learn more about what they read. Teachers try to find various strategies to teach students information that will be long-lasting and the information in this book is that, LONG LASTING! " Ms. Braxton, teacher

"I enjoyed chapters 8 and 9 from the book the most because I think without leadership and putting God in your life you will fail. I would recommend this book because it's like a guide to everything you need in life."Jamie,student

"I recommend this book for all teens because maybe they'll learn a lesson about life like I did."Chanelle,student

"The best chapters in the book (Breaking the Mental Chains of Black Teenagers) were Chapter 2 (The Truth About Black People) and Chapter 10 (Who is Yaba Baker? And, Why Did He Write This Book?). To be honest I thought he (Yaba Baker) would be just another crappy dude in a suit. Yet, when I read the book I learned so many funny and awesome things.  Dude got skills!" D. M. Sstudent

"The entire book is powerful! Kids should read this book because it can help with daily problems, it gives us our history, and advice on life.Armon,student

"Don't get discouraged about the title of the book, even if you're not black still read it. I'm Latina, don't feel strange.  It's a very good book and you can learn many important things that can be applied to your life for a better future. Roxana,student