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My Seven Black Fathers: A Young Activist's Memoir of Race, Family, and the Mentors Who Made Him Whole

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Description

"Will Jawando's account of mentorship, service, and healing lays waste to the racist stereotype of the absent Black father. By arguing that Black fathers are not just found in individual families, but are indeed the treasure of entire Black communities, Will makes the case for a bold idea: that Black men can counter racist ideas and policies by virtue of their presence in the lives of Black boys and young men. This is a story we need to hear." ―Ibram X. Kendi, New York Times–bestselling author of How to be an Antiracist Will Jawando tells a deeply affirmative story of hope and respect for men of color at a time when Black men are routinely stigmatized. As a boy growing up outside DC, Will, who went by his Nigerian name, Yemi, was shunted from school to school, never quite fitting in. He was a Black kid with a divorced white mother, a frayed relationship with his biological father, and teachers who scolded him for being disruptive in class and on the playground. Eventually, he became close to Kalfani, a kid he looked up to on the basketball court. Years after he got the call telling him that Kalfani was dead, another sickening casualty of gun violence, Will looks back on the relationships with an extraordinary series of mentors that enabled him to thrive. Among them were Mr. Williams, the rare Black male grade school teacher, who found a way to bolster Will’s self-esteem when he discovered he was being bullied; Jay Fletcher, the openly gay colleague of his mother who got him off junk food and took him to his first play; Mr. Holmes, the high school coach and chorus director who saw him through a crushing disappointment; Deen Sanwoola, the businessman who helped him bridge the gap between his American upbringing and his Nigerian heritage, eventually leading to a dramatic reconciliation with his biological father; and President Barack Obama, who made Will his associate director of public engagement at the White House―and who invited him to play basketball on more than one occasion. Without the influence of these men, Will knows he would not be who he is today: a civil rights and education policy attorney, a civic leader, a husband, and a father. Drawing on Will’s inspiring personal story and involvement in My Brother’s Keeper, President Obama’s national initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color, My Seven Black Fathers offers a transformative way for Black men to shape the next generation. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (May 3, 2022)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374604878


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 75


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.65 x 1.05 x 8.6 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #794,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #865 in Fatherhood (Books) #2,510 in Black & African American Biographies #23,222 in Memoirs (Books)


#865 in Fatherhood (Books):


#2,510 in Black & African American Biographies:


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Saturday, Nov 30

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Add to High School Reading List
A must read for everyone. What a great book for discussing, discovering, and dialogue. This books creates a starting point. A starting point for leadership. A starting point for young males. A starting point for the future.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022 by Troy B. Rice

  • Great story
Positive and uplifting message of Black men without sugar coating the challenges.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2023 by Noluthando Crockett-Ntonga

  • As advocates
Well written
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023 by marye wells-

  • Wonderful experience through Will’s life
I enjoyed reading this book and traveling through the various experiences
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022 by Melissa

  • ...and his mother made it all happen!
I would love to give this book a 5-star rating. My reason for withholding one star is because to me the very reason Will had most of his "7 black fathers" was due to his insightful mother. She had the wisdom to know what would make her son emotionally, personally, and academically successful. She made sure he was connected to "black fathers." She was white, and when her marriage to Will's father fell apart, she chose carefully who would become Will's stepfather--a wonderful black man who loved and truly fathered Will. Also, his mother handpicked several black male work colleagues for Will to spend time with after school at her place of work (some of the 7, men who truly loved, respected, and taught Will things that unfortunately his father was never willing or able to do.) These men took Will on outings on the weekends, some involving art, performing arts, and travel. Will Jawando grew up to become an amazing human being. Yes, Will was an academically smart child, so his mother had a lot to work with; however, I was very disappointed that in the conclusion of his book, Will didn't recognize emphatically in writing that his mother was responsible for making him the person he is today, one way by leading him to most of the "7 black fathers" who Will says changed his life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022 by Nancy from the East Coast

  • Worth reading.
I enjoyed this book...I only read nonfiction and like memoirs.
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2022 by Carol Kiesch

  • Inspirational reading.
Good reading, especially for young men.
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022 by Edward Burton

  • Great Father’s Day gift
Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2022 by Ronda

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