Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age [Hardcover]

Julian C.R. Okwu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

Defying the statistics, destroying the stereotypes, this inspiring collection of portraits trumpets the achievements of thirty-nine young black men. This handsome volume combines luminous photographs with intimate interviews of young men leading exemplary lives. Photographer Julian Okwu traveled across the country interviewing teachers and entrepreneurs, lobbyists and poets, ministers and politicians. He found a diverse range of voices, experiences, and attitudes, but all of the men he met shared a concern for the African American male and a hope that future generations would benefit from their work. In a world of negative images, skewed statistics, and racial division, these young men embody an alternative reality and an eloquent argument for optimism. A powerful, timely social document.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Some years ago, an incident on a San Francisco street made Julian C. R. Okwu realize that there were white people who saw him not as a man, but as a black man who was a potential source of trouble because of the color of his skin. "I wanted to introduce the world to another idea of young African American men," he writes in his introduction, explaining the reason for this powerful and important book. In Face Forward, he presents photographs and brief autobiographies, in their own words, of 40 young black men. They are a varied lot--a former gang member, a dancer, a medical student, a politician, businessmen, and activists. What they have in common, though, is a desire to give back to the black community, and to be seen for who they are. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

A British-born black man of Nigerian heritage who moved to the U.S. in 1970, the 30-year-old Okwu finds media images of young black men irredeemably tilted toward sports, rap and crime. In this gallery of photos and mini-profiles, Okwu gives voice to 40 young African Americans from around the country whose lives refute stereotypes. His inspiration was Brian Lanker's I Dream a World (1989), about African American women, and if this book understandably lacks its precursor's historical resonance, it has a collective heft. Presbyterian minister Bruce Grady testifies about how the church can help redeem. Screenwriter Devon Shepard talks about racism in Hollywood and how "[o]ur attitude is our strength." Police officer Dexter Yarbrough finds that his family counterbalances the negativity he sees on the streets. Okwu has also found rarer types, for example, Ikolo Griffin, a ballet dancer of multiracial heritage who cherishes the story of his African great-great-grandfather yet sees dance as transcending the merely national, and clothes designer Anthony Mark Hankins, who steers between current white prejudice and memories of teenage rejection by black classmates to succeed in the fashion world, in part by creating a line of clothes for women with olive and brown complexions.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811816311
• ISBN-13: 978-0811816311
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,331,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating!, February 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age (Paperback)

In a time and age when young, african-american men are not portrayed in the best light, J. Okwu provides an illuminating and insightful look into the lives of 40 of these men. Not only is his writing superb, but his artistic eye and layout design are quite impressive. I have passed along the book to a number of young, african-american men in my life. I hope Face Forward will inspire them as much as it did me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book celebrates diversity within black community, July 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age (Paperback)

This book is the perfect antidote to the dry statistical and negative stereotyping of young african american men that pervades the media. J. Okwu has given us an eclectic collection of men from various backgrounds who, as a whole, illustrate the diversity that exists in black america. Through the interviews and J. Okwu's excellent forward the reader is quickly made to understand why this book is both timely and important. By using the subjects own words this book avoids preaching and lets the stories simply supply their own messages

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift!, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age (Hardcover)

The personal narratives and excellent photography make this book the perfect gift for any young African American. It is truly inspiring to read the words of the next generation and learn how they are coping with success in spite of the racism and negativity that is so prevalent in the 21st century. It is a perfect companion to AS I AM. The only draw back is that Mr. Okwu didn't provide contact information for these talented, handsome young men.M-E-O-W!