Additional information
by Warren L. Maye (Author), Marilyn C. Maye (Author)
This book is a guide for parents seeking to design a rites-of-passage program for their adolescent youth and for parents considering such a program. Orita (meaning crossroads) prepares participants for adulthood by teaching life management skills in the context of African heritage and biblical principles. At the Orita celebration, family and community honor their youth and acknowledge their transition into adulthood. Parents are guided through every aspect of the design and planning of a program tailored for their youth. The program is also flexible and can be applied to families of various cultures.
Author Biography
Marilyn C. Maye is Associate Professor in Educational Leadership at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ. A Harlem native, she is a graduate of Swarthmore College, with degrees in mathematics and in anthropology-sociology, with a concentration in Black Studies. She earned masters degrees from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and Columbia University, and a doctorate in education from Teachers College Columbia University. After teaching in New York City public schools, Dr. Maye taught mathematics in the City University of New York for over a decade. She later served in public sector IT management, directing a project management practice, before returning to P-12 education and serving as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Englewood, New Jersey. While Marilyn and her husband reared their son, she returned to the study of education to find answers to the question, "how should parents and teachers prepare African-American youth for successful adulthood in a stubbornly color-conscious society?" Her research includes the experiences and study practices of students of African descent on predominantly white college campuses, when pursuing mathematics, science, engineering and technology majors. Dr. Maye is author of They are men and not gods: The secret of ancient Egypt's influence in the Bible and what it means to you and Stone of Help: Ebenezer - the first fifty years. Warren L. Maye is editor-in-chief for the Salvation Army's publications in the Eastern United States. He edits Good News! a monthly news magazine, which is published in English, Spanish, and Korean. He is contributing editor and writer for Priority! a national magazine. In addition to co-authoring Orita, he has authored Soldiers of Uncommon Valor: The History of Salvationists of African Descent in the United States (2008), and When God Calls: The Heart and Ministry of a Holiness Preacher, Rev. Dr. V. Seymour Cole (2012). Mommy Says, a book for children, and Forgiven, an audiobook for teens (2014). Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Maye graduated from The New School for Social Research (now New School University) and Parsons School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He later earned a Masters in Communications from Fordham University. Warren has worked in publishing for over 2 decades. He has designed high school science and history textbooks for Harper & Row Publishers, Random House Publishers, and several industry publications.
