Author trio aims to change conventional mindset about manhood

Authors (l-r) Michael Holoman,
O. Gerard Droze and Jabari Price

What does it take to truly be considered a man and how do young males learn it? Two questions with answers that vary depending on whom you ask.  In their debut book, “The Makings of a Man,” authors Jabari Price, Michael Holoman and O. Gerard Droze explore manhood and offer their perspectives on how to achieve it from three distinct points of view.

“Not every young man is lucky enough to have a handful of positive male role models to fashion themselves after,” said Jabari Price.  “But, I believe every young man is influenced, in some way, by the males around them regardless of whether those role models are positive or not.”  Price was raised, by his father, in a single-parent household.

Michael Holoman also grew up in a single-parent home, with his mother.  But he did not let that keep him from becoming less than a man.  “We allow males to have a built-in excuse for not becoming men,” said Holoman.  “I didn’t have my father for guidance, but I did have uncles and others who helped me develop an understanding of manhood.”

O. Gerard Droze grew up in what many classify as the traditional family setting—with his mother and father—but he did not realize the significance of those surroundings.  “I took my father for granted,” said Droze.  “I assumed that everyone had a dad at home that loved them, set positive examples for them, and expected the best from them.”  Droze credits his father and two grandfathers with instilling the qualities of true manhood in him. 

In “The Makings of a Man,” Price, Holoman and Droze set out to deconstruct society’s image of a man and explore the reasons behind why planning, communication, checks and balances, leadership and the ability to face challenges are so vitally important to the fully developed man.  “We hope the book makes the intangible qualities of manhood tangible for every young man who reads it,” said Droze.

For more information or to pre-order a copy of "The Makings of a Man," visit www.TheMakingsofaMan.com.