Plain Talk is a neighborhood-based initiative aimed at helping adults, parents, and community leaders develop the skills and tools they need to communicate effectively with young people about reducing adolescent sexual risk-taking. Plain Talk was implemented in five urban neighborhoods in: Atlanta (Georgia); San Diego (California): Seattle (Washington); New Orleans (Louisiana); and Hartford (Connecticut). These communities were given resources and tools to develop and implement a plan. All the plans were different, but all held community residents to be central to the decision-making process, and all required residents to reach a consensus about needed actions. All of the plans acknowledged that some youth are sexually active, and all explored the root causes of adolescent sexuality. The programs applied the same five basic components: (1) community mapping; (2) resident networks; (3) education and skills building; (4) reinforcing key messages; and (5) sustaining resident involvement and leadership. The people involved in Plain Talk learned a great deal about implementing successful community-based programs. Some of the important lessons learned in the Plain Talk processes are described. (SLD)