The Village Rites of Passage 14th Year
Manhood & Womanhood Training 14th Year Edition · Est. 2011

He left the village a boy.
He returned a man.

As he trudged in the blindness of his hood, he knew he was leaving behind more than his father, his mother, and his brothers. He knew it must be done, as his father had done before him and his son would do after. He would return – but as a man. Alex Haley · Roots
Umoja
Unity
Kujichagulia
Self-determination
Ujima
Collective work
Ujamaa
Cooperative economics
Nia
Purpose
Kuumba
Creativity
Imani
Faith
Why The Village exists

Manhood and womanhood are not granted by a birthday. They are earned through a rigorous passage of learning, growing, and accepting one's place in the home, the school, and the community.

Too many of our youth have grown complacent with the idea that adulthood arrives automatically with age. The Village rejects that. We build a deliberate journey that brings each young person into a strong sense of self – and an even stronger sense of community.

Every program is designed for the community it serves. We weave the African principles of the Nguzo Saba through everything: healthy bodies, honest relationships, financial literacy, and the conviction that each person carries a vital role in the village.

The Evidence

Parents saw the change in a single summer.

After the 2011 summer session at KIPP Academy in Lynn, Massachusetts, parents rated the growth they witnessed in their child across the program. These are the share of families reporting improvement.

100%
Greater respect toward adults
100%
Stronger pride in their heritage
95.7%
Desire to pull away from childish ways
95.6%
Motivation to attend school & program
91.3%
Understanding of manhood & their role in society
91.3%
Willingness to overcome obstacles
Source · Parent surveys, Rites of Passage Summer Session 2011 · KIPP Academy, Lynn MA
What we did

A turnkey program, built for your village.

For Schools & Districts

Staff development

Two-day, in-person professional development for educators – most notably with the University of Akron – equipping staff to reach and teach boys and girls of color.

Workshops, lesson banks & facilitation training
For Communities

Summer & year-round cohorts

A five-week, twenty-session journey – the model run at KIPP Academy in Lynn – that takes young people through reading, reflection, and ritual.

Curriculum, materials & closing ceremony
For Parents

It takes a village

Parent workshops that keep families at the center. School extends the household – it never replaces it. We partner with parents, not around them.

Family engagement & partnership

Every tool you need to start your own Rites of Passage program.

From curriculum to ceremony, The Village provides the full framework for training and empowering the leaders of tomorrow.

Join the movement