This is for the men that may be prone to hear this lamentation. Hear me out: As I look around my community and distances far and beyond, I'm dismayed and frustrated seeing young boys still harnessed and seemingly so passive in their appearances and no regard for self-preservation. Call it what you want but walking around with pants sagging below belts, hanging on corners unfazed by urban blight, and certainly no respect for discipline, I'm sure my colleagues are just as saddened as I am. Recently, I embarked on a campaign, or should I say a crusade to enhance my nonprofit organization for a challenging resolve...I wanted to do something within my Diaspora to make a difference. My immediate family with help from my church outreach initiative will use a balance of subtlety and blatant programming to first get them off the streets; secondly we endeavor to provide whatever milieu that has their attention, but will lace it with a coating that will have God's hand all in their mindsets; lastly but not least will be applicable stimuli that will allow them a chance to bolster self-esteem and place emphasis back to a communal approach.

In order for it to work, I've surmised that we will have to bait the hook! Yes, use a bit of call and response technique so as to practice what we preach by giving them chances to gain back what has been lost -- individually and collectively, real or imagined. We will reeducate them through a Rites of Passage program transitioning from boys to men. This is a year-round program for maximal effect where emphasis is placed on a 'can do' mentality. We will dance like David, sing to heaven's delight along with the Angels and jump for joy with Jesus' blessings.

Challenge and change should be on all of our plates as we pick up the gauntlet and make something happen. Our women and young girls are losing patience and have given notice in their own social setting that enough is enough! On a personal note, I've incorporated some of the above in my family literacy work. I bring my mantra to the public schools and I harp on the importance of quality education and being in position to make a difference. When I write, I put at the forefront why we men must step it up. The Adams of the world need to come out of hiding and take the bull by the horns and keep Dominion in our families and communities. In the upcoming anthology, THE SOUL OF A MAN I lament with passion what can, and should be done to keep our boys on the right track, and cajole our grown men to nurture and mentor them for lasting appeal. I say to the men -- 'What are YOU doing to make a difference?