Raising Kings

TV star and New York Times bestselling author Devale Ellis shares everything he’s learned as a dad raising four sons and explores the gifts that parenting has provided to make him a better spouse, businessman, teacher, mentor, and man.

Raised by traditional and principled parents, Devale Ellis thought he had a clear game plan for how he would set the tone when he and his wife became parents themselves. He’d prioritize helping their children be stoic, walk with purpose, and respect their elders. Then each of his children expanded his thinking in new and wonderful ways, helping him grow and become a bigger-hearted parent in the process.

In Raising Kings, Ellis shares the adventure of becoming a dad four times over and the lessons he has learned about family dynamics and true leadership along the way, including:

• Open, honest dialogue is what strengthens the family bond but remember that the way you speak to your kids is the voice they will carry into the world.
• Be deliberate about interrogating your belief system and your relationships to the people who have defined gender roles for you.
• Parenting is an opportunity to rewrite the narrative you inherited, so be careful to question whether generational patterns still serve your family.
• Embrace your child’s uniqueness—their development is also an opportunity for you to revisit your own growth.

A moving and realistic account of modern masculinity, love, and Black fatherhood, Raising Kings provides a valuable road map for how parents can show up as their best selves and leave a meaningful legacy for their children.