School systems from across the United States have increasingly come under public scrutiny. Frustration with schools, especially the inner city districts, not adequately preparing youth to cross the bridge to the 21st century, has lead to debates about funding practices, teacher accountability, parental involvement and paradigm shifts. Also, concerns about the level of violence in schools, teen pregnancy, drugs, and other distractions have been apart of the public discussion on "How do we better educate our youth?"
As African Americans "we" must take ownership the process of educating our youth. It should be well understood that the American schooling system was never meant to educate African Americans to be conscious adults and to fulfill the intent of the Creator. Though many school will celebrate Black History Month, few will examine history beyond slavery. It is important to understand that neither slavery nor the middle passage destroyed "us." Neither were we created by nor did we come from slavery. Slavery was an experience we went through.

There is a growing movement in the United States to reconnect with our African heritage evident in the ever growing numbers of people celebrating Kwanzaa. Apart of that movement is providing African centered rites of passage to the youth. We must see education as a process that starts long before a child is sent to school. The foundations of educative process lies within cultural context. A context which we must build for our children. The values, rituals and ceremonies which comprise the African centered rites of passage process provide the necessary tools to construct cultural context. The power of the "rites process" derives from implied assumptions and the relationships they foster. The major assumptions which frame the African centered rites of passage process are: 1. Every person has a build in capacity to succeed; 2. Every person is born with a driving intent to express this capacity; 3. We are one with the Cosmos (the Creator and the creation); 4. The Creator does not design for failure.

Though many see rites of passage as mystical phenomena, it is a very practical approach to life. If a child lives in a world were computer skills are necessary, then he or she ought to be prepare to use computers. Likewise, a child must prepared to be an adult, if he or she going to be one. The mystical aspect of the African centered rites of passage process is what can be accomplish by someone who been connected to the Creator, understands what is possible through the guidance of the ancestors and elders, and committed to make the world a better place for future generations.