Organization For Black Struggle, St. Louis MO | Nearby Businesses

• Community Organization
• Community Organization
• Political Organization

1401 Rowan Ave
St. Louis, MO 63112
(314) 367-5959

From elegant social events, to corporate gatherings and non-profit galas, you and your guests will enjoy the uncompromising attention to detail and exceptional personal service of our event coordination at one of St. Louis' finest catering and reception hall.

The SDCC operates based on the following core principles which provide a framework for decision-making, leadership and action: • Service to and promotion of the neighborhood • Inclusiveness and diversity • Partnership and collaboration • Accountability and transparency • Respect and integrity

das Haus is my house, but I hope it might also be yours too from time to time, if only for several hours of an evening or afternoon. Like this page if you would like to hear about public events at das Haus. These may include: house concerts, movie discussions, lectures, art shows, and community dinners. I am not sure how often community events will occur and what it all will look like, but come along for the ride. It is after all easier to steer a moving car. And give me a shout if you have ideas!

Being a mentor is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences you'll ever have. Getting the opportunity to meet someone, get to know them, and help shape how they will grow up and make decisions is extremely rewarding. Call Better Family Life Mentor Program today and schedule a meeting to learn more about how to become a member today.

Core Values: Respect for All Uncompromising respect for human dignity is the foundation upon which Neighborhood Houses was built. We fundamentally value people and are always mindful of individual circumstances and points of view. We are committed to fostering communities of inclusiveness, equality and fairness – – ones that empower families and inspire children to aspire to greatness. Faith & Stewardship Our faith-based legacy implores us to be vigilant in assessing and responding to community needs and, in the spirit of exemplary stewardship of our mission, we work relentlessly to provide quality resources to those who are experiencing social injustice. Resilience & Empowerment We believe that resilience is a critical element of personal character that can be built in all of us, despite socio-economic conditions. Individuals should always be viewed as optimal agents of their own personal growth, but in no way does this mean that the road toward resilience should be traveled alone. Quality Programs & Caring Staff By providing effective educational services, youth programs and a caring, dedicated staff, Neighborhood Houses is supporting the growth of children into productive, engaged adults, and we are helping parents become confident advocates for their own families. Yet, in humble recognition of our own limitations, we are constantly building and cultivating partnerships to enhance our skills and broaden our perspectives. This belief of communalism will forever be engrained Neighborhood Houses and in all that we do.

The St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) is a coalition of neighborhood associations in the St. Louis metro area. For 35 years SLACO has provided networking and learning opportunities through a signature annual conference and many other events. Sometimes SLACO engages in advocacy when neighborhoods identify a common cause. In addition, SLACO has partnered with developers to provide low- and moderate-income housing. In particular SLACO is active in the West End neighborhood, where it programs a community center.

Founded in 1997, the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission is an intensive cross-sector training of artists of all disciplines and community activists of all kinds with 270 graduates. The goals are to create and sustain strong arts-based community programs that amplify the voices of under-resourced communities; regenerate and unite neighborhoods; and create significant vehicles for positive change. The CAT Institute is an innovative program centered on the belief that art has the power to be an agent for social change: For sixteen years, as the oldest sustained training of its kind in the country, the Community Arts Training Institute has provided a rigorous multiple-month curriculum to prepare artists of all disciplines and their community partners to collaborate in creating and sustaining significant arts programs primarily in under-resourced community settings, such as neighborhood organizations, social service agencies, development initiatives and education programs. Learning to collaborate across borders and boundaries takes discipline and time. The CAT Institute is not a "workshop."

Rites of passage: ceremonies can help our kids cope with today's turbulent times. Synade Jackson, a divorced mother of two, was filled with anxiety as her 14-year-old daughter, Kemikaa, moved toward womanhood. So to reinforce the lessons she had been teaching her at home about being a strong Black woman, Jackson enrolled Kemikaa in the Sojourner Truth Adolescent Rites Society (STARS) in New York City. "I had wondered whether my daughter would choose education over adolescent pregnancy," Jackson says. "I wanted her to learn African history and spirituality. I wanted these values to be ingrained in her." Jackson seems to have gotten her wish. As Kemikaa and 13 other girls finished the ten-month program (which included classes on spirituality, sexuality, cooking-and even quilting), Jackson says she watched her daughter become a more confident, responsible young lady. And Kemikaa, too, was happy with the results. "I got a lot out of the group," she says, "especially the self-love and self-esteem class, where we talked about our ,body temple, and how we feel about ourselves." Jackson is not alone in her desire to play a greater role in the socialization process of her child. According to Audrey "Ayo" Hunter, founder and executive director of the Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, Inc., in Detroit, African-American rites-of-passage programs like hers have been going on since the 1960's. Meanwhile, the Afrikan National Rites of Passage United Kollective, a St. Louis, Missouri-based umbrella organization that has been conducting these programs for ten years, has annual meetings to develop and hone African-American passage programs around the country. "Historically our people have always used certain requirements or tasks to move on to the next level," says Darryl "Kofi" Kennon, executive director of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective. "African people have been doing rites for thousands of years." Bruce "Olamina Osatunde" Stevenson, assistant director of operations programming of the Baltimore rites group, adds "As a direct result of the enslavement of African people, our rites of initiation were stolen. Every culture has a process where children must become adults. We use these rituals to let children know that it's time to take on roles and responsibilities." There are other benefits as well. Because negative images of the Black community abound, says Dr. Nsenga Warfield-Coppock, a Washington, D.C., psychologist who has written several books on African-American rites of passage, these programs help ensure that our children have healthy self-images. "Society does not provide a mirror for our kids to see themselves positively," says Warfield-Coppock, whose three children have all participated in these rituals. "With these programs," sums up Dr. Wade W. Nobles, executive director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture in Oakland, "our children belong to something greater than themselves. And that's important." ESSENTIALS OF A RITES PROGRAM While there is no "correct" way to do it, Stevenson of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective recommends the following components for a successful passage program: * Let African traditions or influences be at the core. At the African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program in Washington, D.C., for example, boys learn about the history and culture of Africans in the diaspora through lectures, films and visits to museums. * Involve parents, relatives and guardians in the process. For instance, the West Dallas Community Centers have bonding sessions between the children and parents or guardians to emphasize the importance of extended family and mentors. * Make the rites program an ongoing one. "Rites of passage are lifelong," says Warfield-Coppock. Consequently, the process is continuous, spanning birth and adolescence to marriage, eldership and finally death. Although programs typically revolve around young adolescents, they can be performed with toddlers, 7-year-olds and late teens too. * Give the participants tasks to master. Use emotional, spiritual and physical tests to prepare children for adulthood. At Detroit's Kabaz Center, children go to the woods to become more attuned with nature and also participate in precision drills that instill discipline. * Let the community witness the ceremony. At the STARS program, Kemikaa and her friends dressed in African attire for their final ceremony in New York City's Abyssinian Baptist Church, where they shared speeches with their families and other witnesses. * Include rituals and ceremonial activities. Children at the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective, for instance, form a unity circle to give thanks to the Creator and offer libations to remember their ancestors. PASSAGE PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE While we can't list all rites-of-passage programs around the country, here are a few: * Baltimore Rites of Passage, Kollective, Harambee Kollective Services, Inc., 3645 Cottage Ave., Baltimore MD 21215; (410) 462-1494. With "positive, preventive and proactive" curricula, the Kollective trains boys and girls (ages 7 to 18) to become strong, responsible adults. The program, which lasts at least 20 weeks, is broken down into five major phases: family orientation, rites of separation, curriculum, retreat and naming ceremony, and the transformation ceremony. * HAWK Federation, 175 Filbert St., Ste. 202, Oakland CA 94607; (510) 836-3245. HAWK--High Achievement, Wisdom and Knowledge--was designed initially as an African-based manhood training program, but today, HAWK's female counterpart, the Aset Society, offers a parallel operation for girls. Based on a series of tests that each child must master to build courage, character and consciousness, Hawk targets 12-to-14-year-old boys. Both programs, however, are open to children between the ages of.5 and 18. * West Dallas Community Centers, Inc., 8200 Brookriver Dr., Ste. N704, Dallas TX 75247; (214) 634-7691. After receiving a $1.4 million grant in 1989, the West Dallas Community Centers developed a rites-of-passage program that focuses on youths who have been involved with the correctional system or in family intervention. The curriculum incorporates the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles celebrated during Kwanzaa), counseling, and language, karate and history classes. This coed program generally lasts two years and targets children between ages 9 and 17. * Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, 3619 Mount Elliott, Detroit MI 48207; (313) 924-1140. Kabaz, which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary last year, claims to teach "the art of manhood and womanhood by connecting to our past." The coed program, lasting from three months to a year, trains children starting at age 5, using a 12-formula Dlan to in still Afrocentric values and norms. * Concerned Black Men, Inc. (D.C. Chapter), 1511 K St., N.W., Ste. 1100, Washington DC 20005; (202) 783-5414. The five-year-old African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program is a year-round operation in which 8-to-13-year-old boys meet two Saturdays a month. It's based on five principles: economic intuition, leadership, health and physical fitness, cultural awareness and academic competence. * African American Women on Tour, 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd., Ste. 216-B, San Diego CA 92123-4423; (800) 560-AAWT. At five conferences around the country, AAWT holds rites-of-passage programs for 12-to-19-year-old girls. The three-day workshop focuses on self-empowerment, teen sexuality and African culture and history. For information on how to set up a passage program in your community, contact one of the organizations listed above. If you want to read up on the topic, check out Transformation: A Rites of Passage Manual for African American Girls by Mafori Moore, Gwen Akua Gilyard, Karen King and Nsenga Warfield-Coppock (STARS Press, $15) and Bringing the Black Boy to Manhood: The Passage by Nathan Hare and Julie Hare (Black Think Tank, $6). Warfield-Coppock can also provide a wealth of information; she can be reached at Baobab Associates, Inc., 7614 16th St., N.W., Washington DC 20012.

Rites of passage: ceremonies can help our kids cope with today's turbulent times. Synade Jackson, a divorced mother of two, was filled with anxiety as her 14-year-old daughter, Kemikaa, moved toward womanhood. So to reinforce the lessons she had been teaching her at home about being a strong Black woman, Jackson enrolled Kemikaa in the Sojourner Truth Adolescent Rites Society (STARS) in New York City. "I had wondered whether my daughter would choose education over adolescent pregnancy," Jackson says. "I wanted her to learn African history and spirituality. I wanted these values to be ingrained in her." Jackson seems to have gotten her wish. As Kemikaa and 13 other girls finished the ten-month program (which included classes on spirituality, sexuality, cooking-and even quilting), Jackson says she watched her daughter become a more confident, responsible young lady. And Kemikaa, too, was happy with the results. "I got a lot out of the group," she says, "especially the self-love and self-esteem class, where we talked about our ,body temple, and how we feel about ourselves." Jackson is not alone in her desire to play a greater role in the socialization process of her child. According to Audrey "Ayo" Hunter, founder and executive director of the Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, Inc., in Detroit, African-American rites-of-passage programs like hers have been going on since the 1960's. Meanwhile, the Afrikan National Rites of Passage United Kollective, a St. Louis, Missouri-based umbrella organization that has been conducting these programs for ten years, has annual meetings to develop and hone African-American passage programs around the country. "Historically our people have always used certain requirements or tasks to move on to the next level," says Darryl "Kofi" Kennon, executive director of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective. "African people have been doing rites for thousands of years." Bruce "Olamina Osatunde" Stevenson, assistant director of operations programming of the Baltimore rites group, adds "As a direct result of the enslavement of African people, our rites of initiation were stolen. Every culture has a process where children must become adults. We use these rituals to let children know that it's time to take on roles and responsibilities." There are other benefits as well. Because negative images of the Black community abound, says Dr. Nsenga Warfield-Coppock, a Washington, D.C., psychologist who has written several books on African-American rites of passage, these programs help ensure that our children have healthy self-images. "Society does not provide a mirror for our kids to see themselves positively," says Warfield-Coppock, whose three children have all participated in these rituals. "With these programs," sums up Dr. Wade W. Nobles, executive director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture in Oakland, "our children belong to something greater than themselves. And that's important." ESSENTIALS OF A RITES PROGRAM While there is no "correct" way to do it, Stevenson of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective recommends the following components for a successful passage program: * Let African traditions or influences be at the core. At the African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program in Washington, D.C., for example, boys learn about the history and culture of Africans in the diaspora through lectures, films and visits to museums. * Involve parents, relatives and guardians in the process. For instance, the West Dallas Community Centers have bonding sessions between the children and parents or guardians to emphasize the importance of extended family and mentors. * Make the rites program an ongoing one. "Rites of passage are lifelong," says Warfield-Coppock. Consequently, the process is continuous, spanning birth and adolescence to marriage, eldership and finally death. Although programs typically revolve around young adolescents, they can be performed with toddlers, 7-year-olds and late teens too. * Give the participants tasks to master. Use emotional, spiritual and physical tests to prepare children for adulthood. At Detroit's Kabaz Center, children go to the woods to become more attuned with nature and also participate in precision drills that instill discipline. * Let the community witness the ceremony. At the STARS program, Kemikaa and her friends dressed in African attire for their final ceremony in New York City's Abyssinian Baptist Church, where they shared speeches with their families and other witnesses. * Include rituals and ceremonial activities. Children at the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective, for instance, form a unity circle to give thanks to the Creator and offer libations to remember their ancestors. PASSAGE PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE While we can't list all rites-of-passage programs around the country, here are a few: * Baltimore Rites of Passage, Kollective, Harambee Kollective Services, Inc., 3645 Cottage Ave., Baltimore MD 21215; (410) 462-1494. With "positive, preventive and proactive" curricula, the Kollective trains boys and girls (ages 7 to 18) to become strong, responsible adults. The program, which lasts at least 20 weeks, is broken down into five major phases: family orientation, rites of separation, curriculum, retreat and naming ceremony, and the transformation ceremony. * HAWK Federation, 175 Filbert St., Ste. 202, Oakland CA 94607; (510) 836-3245. HAWK--High Achievement, Wisdom and Knowledge--was designed initially as an African-based manhood training program, but today, HAWK's female counterpart, the Aset Society, offers a parallel operation for girls. Based on a series of tests that each child must master to build courage, character and consciousness, Hawk targets 12-to-14-year-old boys. Both programs, however, are open to children between the ages of.5 and 18. * West Dallas Community Centers, Inc., 8200 Brookriver Dr., Ste. N704, Dallas TX 75247; (214) 634-7691. After receiving a $1.4 million grant in 1989, the West Dallas Community Centers developed a rites-of-passage program that focuses on youths who have been involved with the correctional system or in family intervention. The curriculum incorporates the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles celebrated during Kwanzaa), counseling, and language, karate and history classes. This coed program generally lasts two years and targets children between ages 9 and 17. * Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, 3619 Mount Elliott, Detroit MI 48207; (313) 924-1140. Kabaz, which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary last year, claims to teach "the art of manhood and womanhood by connecting to our past." The coed program, lasting from three months to a year, trains children starting at age 5, using a 12-formula Dlan to in still Afrocentric values and norms. * Concerned Black Men, Inc. (D.C. Chapter), 1511 K St., N.W., Ste. 1100, Washington DC 20005; (202) 783-5414. The five-year-old African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program is a year-round operation in which 8-to-13-year-old boys meet two Saturdays a month. It's based on five principles: economic intuition, leadership, health and physical fitness, cultural awareness and academic competence. * African American Women on Tour, 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd., Ste. 216-B, San Diego CA 92123-4423; (800) 560-AAWT. At five conferences around the country, AAWT holds rites-of-passage programs for 12-to-19-year-old girls. The three-day workshop focuses on self-empowerment, teen sexuality and African culture and history. For information on how to set up a passage program in your community, contact one of the organizations listed above. If you want to read up on the topic, check out Transformation: A Rites of Passage Manual for African American Girls by Mafori Moore, Gwen Akua Gilyard, Karen King and Nsenga Warfield-Coppock (STARS Press, $15) and Bringing the Black Boy to Manhood: The Passage by Nathan Hare and Julie Hare (Black Think Tank, $6). Warfield-Coppock can also provide a wealth of information; she can be reached at Baobab Associates, Inc., 7614 16th St., N.W., Washington DC 20012.

St. Louis Transplants connects newcomers with the friends, communities and social resources they need to feel at home in St. Louis. Learn more at www.stltransplants.com

Introduction of the Universal African Peoples Organization Historical Development of U.A.P.O The Universal African Peoples Organization was founded as an extension of three major legacies. The first was the profound legacy left by the Honorable Marcus Garvey, who created an unprecedented mass movement of Black people during the 1920's and 30's. The Universal Negro Improvement Association had an estimated membership ranging from two to four million Blacks who heeded Garvey’s uplifting call for them to develop economically, politically, culturally, internationally, and spiritually. Thus, it is in the spirit, and with the example of Marcus Garvey that we have committed ourselves to the fulfillment of his dream. Speaking of dreams, we chose April 4, 1987 as our founding date, in respect of the legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who, as most of us know, was assassinated on that date in 1968. We recognize vividly, that Dr. King’s dream of racial equality and justice within the United States is a “dream deferred.” Therefore, we have dedicated ourselves to carry forth with that commitment; the fervor and the skills so vital for the liberation and advancement of our people, as we move progressively through the 1990's and into the 21st century. The third and final legacy that had a positive effect upon the development of the UAAPO was based on the principles of Missouri’s first and second Statewide Black Peoples Conventions held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984 and 1986. Ironically, these two important historical events took place in the former slave state where the infamous Dred Scott Case began. As a result of these historical events, the grassroots candidacy of Lavoy “Zaki” Reed for Governor of Missouri was launched. The candidacy was based upon an eleven point platform of issues addressing the needs of people which proved fruitful with the accumulation of over 87,000 votes. Therefore, it is with brave souls of my comrades from the campaign committee, along with other recruits, that we shall attempt to organize, through coalitions, networking and other cooperative ventures, the 87,000 votes in Missouri into a meaningful movement under the auspices of the Universal African American Peoples Organization. Once Missouri has been organized, we shall extend outwardly to the masses of our people who yearn for the day of liberation, prosperity and peace.

das Haus is my house, but I hope it might also be yours too from time to time, if only for several hours of an evening or afternoon. Like this page if you would like to hear about public events at das Haus. These may include: house concerts, movie discussions, lectures, art shows, and community dinners. I am not sure how often community events will occur and what it all will look like, but come along for the ride. It is after all easier to steer a moving car. And give me a shout if you have ideas!

Being a mentor is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences you'll ever have. Getting the opportunity to meet someone, get to know them, and help shape how they will grow up and make decisions is extremely rewarding. Call Better Family Life Mentor Program today and schedule a meeting to learn more about how to become a member today.

For the first time in history, we've got an African-American First Lady, and sisters in positions of prestige & power at powerhouse corporations and organizations. It’s time to redefine what it means to be a courageous, compassionate & CONFIDENT black woman today. We've got obstacles to overcome and stereotypes to erase. Sound like your kind of revolution? Join the movement. Get involved with Miss Black Teen STL, LLC! This company provides young African-American females with personal and professional development skills to grow and expand their horizons. MBT-STL is preparing for the 1st Annual Pageant and Development Program, which will inspire young ladies, ages 13-17, to become more than what their surroundings portray! Workshops such as: •Being Your Own CEO – the importance of education •Professional Development – interviewing skills and resume building •Emotional Intelligence – managing stress, dealing with anger effectively, etc. •Health & Wellness – work/life balance, exercise and proper diet •Social & Dinner Etiquette – personal and media do’s & don’ts •Importance of Community Involvement This is the NEW movement! So get involved TODAY!

Founded in 1997, the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission is an intensive cross-sector training of artists of all disciplines and community activists of all kinds with 270 graduates. The goals are to create and sustain strong arts-based community programs that amplify the voices of under-resourced communities; regenerate and unite neighborhoods; and create significant vehicles for positive change. The CAT Institute is an innovative program centered on the belief that art has the power to be an agent for social change: For sixteen years, as the oldest sustained training of its kind in the country, the Community Arts Training Institute has provided a rigorous multiple-month curriculum to prepare artists of all disciplines and their community partners to collaborate in creating and sustaining significant arts programs primarily in under-resourced community settings, such as neighborhood organizations, social service agencies, development initiatives and education programs. Learning to collaborate across borders and boundaries takes discipline and time. The CAT Institute is not a "workshop."

Introduction of the Universal African Peoples Organization Historical Development of U.A.P.O The Universal African Peoples Organization was founded as an extension of three major legacies. The first was the profound legacy left by the Honorable Marcus Garvey, who created an unprecedented mass movement of Black people during the 1920's and 30's. The Universal Negro Improvement Association had an estimated membership ranging from two to four million Blacks who heeded Garvey’s uplifting call for them to develop economically, politically, culturally, internationally, and spiritually. Thus, it is in the spirit, and with the example of Marcus Garvey that we have committed ourselves to the fulfillment of his dream. Speaking of dreams, we chose April 4, 1987 as our founding date, in respect of the legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who, as most of us know, was assassinated on that date in 1968. We recognize vividly, that Dr. King’s dream of racial equality and justice within the United States is a “dream deferred.” Therefore, we have dedicated ourselves to carry forth with that commitment; the fervor and the skills so vital for the liberation and advancement of our people, as we move progressively through the 1990's and into the 21st century. The third and final legacy that had a positive effect upon the development of the UAAPO was based on the principles of Missouri’s first and second Statewide Black Peoples Conventions held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984 and 1986. Ironically, these two important historical events took place in the former slave state where the infamous Dred Scott Case began. As a result of these historical events, the grassroots candidacy of Lavoy “Zaki” Reed for Governor of Missouri was launched. The candidacy was based upon an eleven point platform of issues addressing the needs of people which proved fruitful with the accumulation of over 87,000 votes. Therefore, it is with brave souls of my comrades from the campaign committee, along with other recruits, that we shall attempt to organize, through coalitions, networking and other cooperative ventures, the 87,000 votes in Missouri into a meaningful movement under the auspices of the Universal African American Peoples Organization. Once Missouri has been organized, we shall extend outwardly to the masses of our people who yearn for the day of liberation, prosperity and peace.

Rites of passage: ceremonies can help our kids cope with today's turbulent times. Synade Jackson, a divorced mother of two, was filled with anxiety as her 14-year-old daughter, Kemikaa, moved toward womanhood. So to reinforce the lessons she had been teaching her at home about being a strong Black woman, Jackson enrolled Kemikaa in the Sojourner Truth Adolescent Rites Society (STARS) in New York City. "I had wondered whether my daughter would choose education over adolescent pregnancy," Jackson says. "I wanted her to learn African history and spirituality. I wanted these values to be ingrained in her." Jackson seems to have gotten her wish. As Kemikaa and 13 other girls finished the ten-month program (which included classes on spirituality, sexuality, cooking-and even quilting), Jackson says she watched her daughter become a more confident, responsible young lady. And Kemikaa, too, was happy with the results. "I got a lot out of the group," she says, "especially the self-love and self-esteem class, where we talked about our ,body temple, and how we feel about ourselves." Jackson is not alone in her desire to play a greater role in the socialization process of her child. According to Audrey "Ayo" Hunter, founder and executive director of the Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, Inc., in Detroit, African-American rites-of-passage programs like hers have been going on since the 1960's. Meanwhile, the Afrikan National Rites of Passage United Kollective, a St. Louis, Missouri-based umbrella organization that has been conducting these programs for ten years, has annual meetings to develop and hone African-American passage programs around the country. "Historically our people have always used certain requirements or tasks to move on to the next level," says Darryl "Kofi" Kennon, executive director of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective. "African people have been doing rites for thousands of years." Bruce "Olamina Osatunde" Stevenson, assistant director of operations programming of the Baltimore rites group, adds "As a direct result of the enslavement of African people, our rites of initiation were stolen. Every culture has a process where children must become adults. We use these rituals to let children know that it's time to take on roles and responsibilities." There are other benefits as well. Because negative images of the Black community abound, says Dr. Nsenga Warfield-Coppock, a Washington, D.C., psychologist who has written several books on African-American rites of passage, these programs help ensure that our children have healthy self-images. "Society does not provide a mirror for our kids to see themselves positively," says Warfield-Coppock, whose three children have all participated in these rituals. "With these programs," sums up Dr. Wade W. Nobles, executive director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture in Oakland, "our children belong to something greater than themselves. And that's important." ESSENTIALS OF A RITES PROGRAM While there is no "correct" way to do it, Stevenson of the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective recommends the following components for a successful passage program: * Let African traditions or influences be at the core. At the African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program in Washington, D.C., for example, boys learn about the history and culture of Africans in the diaspora through lectures, films and visits to museums. * Involve parents, relatives and guardians in the process. For instance, the West Dallas Community Centers have bonding sessions between the children and parents or guardians to emphasize the importance of extended family and mentors. * Make the rites program an ongoing one. "Rites of passage are lifelong," says Warfield-Coppock. Consequently, the process is continuous, spanning birth and adolescence to marriage, eldership and finally death. Although programs typically revolve around young adolescents, they can be performed with toddlers, 7-year-olds and late teens too. * Give the participants tasks to master. Use emotional, spiritual and physical tests to prepare children for adulthood. At Detroit's Kabaz Center, children go to the woods to become more attuned with nature and also participate in precision drills that instill discipline. * Let the community witness the ceremony. At the STARS program, Kemikaa and her friends dressed in African attire for their final ceremony in New York City's Abyssinian Baptist Church, where they shared speeches with their families and other witnesses. * Include rituals and ceremonial activities. Children at the Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective, for instance, form a unity circle to give thanks to the Creator and offer libations to remember their ancestors. PASSAGE PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE While we can't list all rites-of-passage programs around the country, here are a few: * Baltimore Rites of Passage, Kollective, Harambee Kollective Services, Inc., 3645 Cottage Ave., Baltimore MD 21215; (410) 462-1494. With "positive, preventive and proactive" curricula, the Kollective trains boys and girls (ages 7 to 18) to become strong, responsible adults. The program, which lasts at least 20 weeks, is broken down into five major phases: family orientation, rites of separation, curriculum, retreat and naming ceremony, and the transformation ceremony. * HAWK Federation, 175 Filbert St., Ste. 202, Oakland CA 94607; (510) 836-3245. HAWK--High Achievement, Wisdom and Knowledge--was designed initially as an African-based manhood training program, but today, HAWK's female counterpart, the Aset Society, offers a parallel operation for girls. Based on a series of tests that each child must master to build courage, character and consciousness, Hawk targets 12-to-14-year-old boys. Both programs, however, are open to children between the ages of.5 and 18. * West Dallas Community Centers, Inc., 8200 Brookriver Dr., Ste. N704, Dallas TX 75247; (214) 634-7691. After receiving a $1.4 million grant in 1989, the West Dallas Community Centers developed a rites-of-passage program that focuses on youths who have been involved with the correctional system or in family intervention. The curriculum incorporates the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles celebrated during Kwanzaa), counseling, and language, karate and history classes. This coed program generally lasts two years and targets children between ages 9 and 17. * Kabaz (Black Jewels) Cultural Center, 3619 Mount Elliott, Detroit MI 48207; (313) 924-1140. Kabaz, which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary last year, claims to teach "the art of manhood and womanhood by connecting to our past." The coed program, lasting from three months to a year, trains children starting at age 5, using a 12-formula Dlan to in still Afrocentric values and norms. * Concerned Black Men, Inc. (D.C. Chapter), 1511 K St., N.W., Ste. 1100, Washington DC 20005; (202) 783-5414. The five-year-old African Son-Rise Rites of Passage Manhood Training Program is a year-round operation in which 8-to-13-year-old boys meet two Saturdays a month. It's based on five principles: economic intuition, leadership, health and physical fitness, cultural awareness and academic competence. * African American Women on Tour, 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd., Ste. 216-B, San Diego CA 92123-4423; (800) 560-AAWT. At five conferences around the country, AAWT holds rites-of-passage programs for 12-to-19-year-old girls. The three-day workshop focuses on self-empowerment, teen sexuality and African culture and history. For information on how to set up a passage program in your community, contact one of the organizations listed above. If you want to read up on the topic, check out Transformation: A Rites of Passage Manual for African American Girls by Mafori Moore, Gwen Akua Gilyard, Karen King and Nsenga Warfield-Coppock (STARS Press, $15) and Bringing the Black Boy to Manhood: The Passage by Nathan Hare and Julie Hare (Black Think Tank, $6). Warfield-Coppock can also provide a wealth of information; she can be reached at Baobab Associates, Inc., 7614 16th St., N.W., Washington DC 20012.