As scores of young men and women across the nation graduate from high school in the coming weeks, it is a good idea to arm them with words of wisdom in the form of a good a book.

At this pivotal stage of their lives, books by academics, entrepreneurs, authors, motivational speakers and spiritual leaders can provide powerful guidance. BV Bookshelf has selected three that can help serve as guides for young men and women on the road to adulthood. Authors and editors include CEO and philanthropist Russell Simmons, author and motivational speaker Michele R. Wright and political activist and motivational speaker Kevin Powell.

'The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life,' edited by Kevin Powell, writer, activist and a candidate for U.S. Congress (D-N.Y.) in 2008, is a compilation of powerful essays. The foreword is written by Hill Harper, actor and author, who says, "This book is no different than a hammer or a nail -- use it as a tool to aid you in building the life you want. In order to become the architects of our own lives, we must create a blueprint.''

Powell writes in the editor's note that the book "is intended to redirect the talk and rhetoric away from seeing ourselves solely as victims. Yes, racism is alive and well in America, and we will forever challenge and critique it, no question. But if Black males are going to be empowered, that empowerment has to be proactive -- and holistic.''


'Dear Success Seeker: Wisdom From Outstanding Women,' by Michele R. Wright, author and speaker, is a collection of letters written to the next generation by some of the most powerful women in academia, business, entertainment and sports. Writers include Dr. Jocelyn Elders, the first African American to serve as U.S. surgeon general, Johnnetta B. Cole, president emerita of Bennett College for Women and Spelman College, and an exclusive interview with Gayle King, editor-at-large of The Oprah Magazine.

King provides indispensable advice: "Find a career that you really enjoy and then find someone who's doing that. Then figure out a way to either make contact with them or get contacts in that field. Nothing beats the personal experience of working, whether it's television, whether it's magazines, whether it's cooking. What I find very interesting is that successful people really don't mind helping others who they believe have some initiative.''

'Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success,' by Russell Simmons with Chris Morrow, provides a road map to success.

"My hope is that after reading this book, you'll be more focused on what you need to do to get to a better place in life, both financially and spiritually,'' writes Simmons, who transformed himself from a hip-hop executive to an entrepreneur, philanthropist and political activist. "But you have to remember that there's no end of the road when it comes to being successful. That's because success is a journey, not a destination.''


Here are the first five laws of 'Do You':
1. See your vision and stick with it
2. Always Do You
3. Get Your Mind Right
4. Stop Frontin' And Start Today
5. Never Less Than Your Best