Brotha 2 Brotha – Becoming Healthy Men from the Inside Out by W. Eric Croomes provides a clear roadmap, complete with biblical references, to help African-American men of all ages contend with the forces that can keep them from achieving their personal best. Brotha 2 Brotha takes on several perspectives as it examines obstacles unique to black males in our communities. Its approach is not only biblical, spiritual and philosophical, it most importantly offers practicality in getting to the heart of the matter. Historically, literature and self-help books dealing with problems unique to black males have looked to external forces such as legal and social constraints as the root cause of various problems. A rigorous self-examination, according to Croomes, is the essential foundation for making true progress in this life. Croomes examines in great depth the relationship of David and Goliath to illustrate how mountains can be moved and wars can be won by mastering one’s self. The one aspect of his book Brotha 2 Brotha I found most striking are the guidelines he sets forth in his checklist for survival, as survival is the all-important first step in reaching higher ground. I highly recommend this book to both men and women, but particularly to men’s groups, pastors, educators and parents as a means of facilitating meaningful dialogue and action on both the personal and community plane to improve the lives of black men and society as a whole.

Chilling on my couch on a Sunday afternoon, I decide to open up the latest submission received in our editorial bin. I was surprised that while beginning to read Brotha 2 Brotha, a non-fiction, self-empowerment book by W.E. Croomes that it applies to both genders, because Black women are affected by many of the same issues he explores. Brotha2Brotha is an awesome treat, an easy read, and keeps your attention to the last word printed. Croomes makes many significant points regarding Black-male identity in the 21st Century. He expresses the psychological metamorphous taking place for Black men with financial freedom, relationships, and education. Maximizing on self-awareness and a spiritual alignment with God he continues to exude, "Empowerment in your various roles begins as a process, one that launches inwardly and proceeds out and continues along its evolutionary journey, regardless of what takes place in your external world."
From a religious standpoint he suggests that without balance and spiritual alliance with God one will not receive the gifts that are clearly in his path. The author never ceases to put on that he knows it all. Croomes is for empowerment of the Black man and his identity, "Brotha2Brotha is… not a "get health quick treatment: it is intended to launch a process toward recovering and reclaiming our wholeness as men of color," he says. Images in the media perpetuate Black men as murderers, drug-dealers, rappers, no-show fathers, and weak politicians. So where are brothers to look for guidance, to be something other than what society says? By breaking these methodologies and questions down into parts, the author clearly identifies the elements needed for Black men as a whole to rise up and regain their authentic self. Excerpts from the book:
Part one: Learning what giants can metaphorically teach you about David, and conversely, what David can teach us about giants.Part two: Holistic paradigms of seeing ourselves as Black men and suggest practical steps for moving against the internal and external giants we face daily. Each of the sections in part two includes the calisthenics and life lessons that we can implement for change.Part three: Dealing with finding our inherent "good" as Black men, becoming aware of how the giant within us can be oppressive to others and includes a checklist for personal and community survival as we navigate through the material world. As I closed the book, I knew that not only did I want to send my younger brother/sister a copy; I also wanted to give one to all of the brothers that I know personally. Croomes may have written this book directly addressing his Black brothers, but it is relevant for men and women alike. Brotha2Brotha is a perfect fit for holiday stockings.

Author, W. Eric Croomes uses the analogy of the biblical story of David and Goliath to show that the giants that block the path to success can be defeated. For the brotha receptive to the message that spiritual enlightenment is vital for personal growth, “Brotha2Brotha, Becoming Healthy Men from the Inside Out” can be the catalyst for change. Croomes’ work does not cast shame or blame; it simply offers a course of action to survive “while black and male in America,” and presents the tools so brothas can discover their strengths and claim their power.