Book excerpt: Bringing The Light Into A New Day provides a scaffolding to understand the purpose, function, structure, process and transformative power of the rites of passage process. Light is a metaphor for opportunity, hope and wisdom. Our light is our heritage, a dynamic interaction of the past and future to create new solutions for our present. If we do not bring this light into the new day, then we doom ourselves to be cast in the faint light of others’ interpretations of “our” capabilities. African-American families and communities must bring the light into the new day, so our children can see their unique genius. How to bring this light? African-centered Rites of Passage!