3This book is written based on personal experience and the application of research-driven strategies that are not only designed to address the needs of males of color, but can also-if strategically applied-prove to be extremely valuable to schools and districts desiring to improve the success of all students. It is written in such as format that encourages reflective thinking. Strategies are arranged in an order that begins with those that are more tactical in nature to those that move more toward an empathetic approach such as understanding the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships that can have lasting impressions on our males. Each strategy encourages the individual and/or organization to determine current progress and practices and then to design a plan of action to improve the strategy. Upon completing the book, action plans should be in place to address the strategy(ies).