Examines the health status of African American male adolescents, noting that their leading health problems are preventable. Discusses two frameworks that are of value in social work practice with this population, and examines cultural competence and empowerment. Reviews Afrocentric theory and social work, and outlines an Afrocentric program. (RJM)

Claims that the juvenile justice system provides an array of interventions but that culturally relevant programs are necessary to deal with the myriad of social problems. Introduces the MAAT (Egyptian for virtuous or moral life) Center for Human and Organizational Enhancement Inc. and its Rites of Passage program, which uses an Afrocentric…