Transforming the Minds of Men

This book has been written for men, parents, teachers, mentors, social workers, employers, and many others to heightened their awareness of men in general but more specifically as it relates to fatherlessness. We see this epidemic increasing and not being addressed globally. The more a man is aware of the negative affects of fatherlessness the more he can channel his behaviors to beat the odds. The more individuals working with men are aware of the absent father the more they are able to respond appropriately and increase positive outcomes on young men and adult men. Fathers may be absent from the lives of there children for many reason including but not limited to incarceration, divorce/separation, abandonment, and in some cases because he does not know he has a child. despite why the father is not present in the home we see tremendous impacts that his absence creates. I wrote this book to contribute to the conversation that has already been started surrounding this topic and to provide the reader with practical and applicable tools and strategies to beat the odds. While this book is not the complete answer to the problem it definitely is a start to improving ones self.

Woven throughout this book is the impact and effect of fatherlessness among young men but more specifically, young black men in America. This epidemic has been part of the fabric of our society for years and, with the recent tragic events of our nation, the conversation about young black men has resurfaced. In this conversation it is important to note that fatherlessness is one of the missing links in the foundation of the rearing of young men. This book raises awareness of and lays a blue print of how we can better rear young men from childhood to manhood. We can make a difference in society by challenging the status quo and having an expectation of each young man to discover and maximize his full potential. Refusing to settle for mediocrity and always striving for excellence should be the daily goal of young men and those who influence their lives. Life and its opportunities may be challenging but, when approached properly, the challenges can be the foundation of success. You will see the word transformation extensively throughout the pages of this book. When I am speaking of transformation, it is in relation to changing the mindset of the young man’s perception of himself and the community’s perception of him. I want to raise awareness that transformation can happen in the lives of men because on so many levels men but more specifically black men have been misrepresented. With this raised awareness we can look through a different lens when tackling the subject of fatherlessness and transformation. This is important when addressing fatherlessness and the rearing of young men because it allows us to value the need for male authority in the home, local community, and globally. Fatherlessness has in some ways silently contributed greatly to the downward spiral of events related to young black men. While it is not the only component, it is definitely significant enough that it needs to be addressed. This book alone is not the answer to the problem. Our young men need you and me! They need us to 1) share principles in their homes and communities so we can help them transform their mindset; and 2) teach them to subscribe to the philosophy that all things are possible when you apply yourself. These changes require a transformation – a way to change our perception of ourselves and the global view of black men in general. While the process of transformation takes time, a positive and healthy mindset can be the catalyst to achieve greatness and change the national conversation about one’s ability to make major contributions to society. No one can determine the hands that have been dealt in life. We can however, choose the attitude we have and our approach. There is work to do, and it is better when we do it together. We must believe that positive change can and will take place in the lives of young black men in America. Promise is the visualization of infinite possibilities to achieve success and the full potential in these men. This book is not only for men but the women who love them. This book has been designed to help fathers, mothers, employers, teachers, social workers and many more as they identify challenges of working with this population and offers tools of transformation that result in positive outcomes for not only the young men and adult men but the homes they live in and the community they reside. Understanding the fabric of a man and not jumping to conclusions and making assumptions is the key to understanding and appropriately addressing the many disparities faced by boys. young men, and adult men of all races but more specifically black males. At the end of each chapter the reader will be able to document his or her personal thoughts and use them as reflection or personal action steps to improving overall outcomes in his own life or the life of men in relationship with the reader.

Lovelle McMichael is an entrepreneur, author, consultant, motivational speaker, pastor, and community leader. As a servant leader, Mr. McMichael is the Senior Pastor of Impacted for Purpose in Mesa, Arizona where he provides leadership for the development of all programs and services related to community outreach. Additionally, he has expansive professional knowledge and skills in the area of male youth intervention services. Mr. McMichael previously managed Turning Point, a comprehensive, residential, integrated-services youth facility. As a leader in the greater Phoenix metropolitan community, he has been recognized and honored for his tremendous commitment to serve and impact people locally and abroad. He received citations for his dedicated service and contribution to the community from the Mayor of the City of Mesa, AZ in 2013 and 2014 consecutively. He is a member of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2014 Class of 40 Under 40; the recipient of the 2015 Thurgood Marshall Award of Merit; a 2015 State of Black Arizona Community Luminary; a 2015 Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient, a 2015 award recipient for his significant contribution to the 100 Black Men of Phoenix Men of Tomorrow Academy; and a 2015 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award for making Phoenix “a better place to live through a lifelong commitment to creating a compassionate and socially just society.” Academically, Mr. Michael received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing from Millersville University; a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix; an Arizona Department of Education teaching certificate in African American Studies; and completed two years at Fuller Theological Seminary before transferring to Central Christina University where he later obtained his second Master’s degree in Ministry. He has penned this book in an effort to assist men as well as educators, social workers, parents, and mentors, with overcoming the negative impact faced by these men as a result of the absent father. He encourages young men and empowers them to tap into their undiscovered potential and maximize it from childhood to manhood.