Sanya Simmons Author, Audiobook Narrator & Voice Actor Author Photo

A Single Mom’s Guide to Raising Black (Gentle)Men is an impactful book that shows you how to persevere and ultimately raise young men who are confident, accountable, and capable of facing whatever life throws at them.

Throughout her book, author Sanya Simmons dives deeply into the real issues single moms face when raising Black sons. Full of practical tips and real-life examples, this book addresses a wide range of topics. This includes the role a mom plays in raising a man, educational challenges and stereotypes, talking to your son about sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, balancing parenting with your own needs, and much more. Written by a single mom for single moms, this is an authentic, matter of fact, and necessary book for women raising sons of all ages.

Written by a single mom for single moms...

When Sanya began her journey as a single mom of boys, she looked everywhere for books that would share practical advice on how to raise her Black sons into men. Unfortunately, the only books she found were written by men and came from an academic – and even clinical perspective.

A father cannot be replaced, but a loving mother has the power to raise her son to be a man. For Sanya, giving up was never an option. So, she was guided each step of the way by her personal values and parenting philosophies. These philosophies were grounded in unconditional love and honesty. Despite some struggle, she managed to raise strong and confident young men. This book came into existence because she realized that she has wisdom to share. This is wisdom that can help other single moms with their parenting experience.

Sanya Simmons Author, Audiobook Narrator & Voice Actor Raising Black (Gentle) Men

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People Are Saying...

It’s all about family
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2022

Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the authors perspective and storytelling. She endured and overcame a lot to raise her two sons to be real men. It felt personal and relatable. It’s about a single mothers struggles but moreso it’s an American story that doesn’t get enough attention. How do we support single mothers and promote families. Investing in our children creates productive adults which benefits us all.

Life is full of many voices. However, some voices have a unique way of connecting and empowering others to be better and do better. Sanya Simmons is one of those voices. Throughout the pages of A Single Mom’s Guide to Raising Black Gentlemen, you’ll hear the voice of a woman being vulnerable, transparent, loving and blatantly honest so she can help others to constructively address issues such as: racial stereotypes, gender identity, mental health and their stigmas, and the challenges of a woman trying to teach and raise her sons from ‘Boys to Gentlemen

Duane Hudson Reid

MDiv, Poet, Speaker, Author of Righteous Anger: Outcries for Justice

This book is not just for single moms but for Moms doing their best to raise sons, especially Black sons. You need this book! Every. Single. Page. I’m so thankful that I was able to read practical information that I could use, even now. I’m a real mom who loves her son, but I needed answers to help support him better. Thanks to this book I was able to see that others experienced some of the same parenting struggles I did. I’m thankful things got better for my son. I wish I had this book during the early years, but I’m happy that others will.

Veleria Levy

Single Mom

Very relatable parenting book for all types of parents
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2022

I loved this book so much. I often find parenting books hard to read because they give me a to do list or make me feel badly about my choices. This book is so easy to read. The author is funny
and relatable. She talks a lot about self-acceptance and accepting your children for where they are as well. While there is a particular emphasis on single moms & the unique challenges of
raising Black sons in today’s society, I think that this book is an excellent read for any parent. Highly recommend.

Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2022

A great read full of wisdom and practical advice! I loved that the chapters move quickly which makes information easy to come back to and re-visit. It’s written from a single mother’s perspective but this is a book for single, married, extended family, caretakers – whoever! These are truths anyone can benefit from.

A very realistic and well written book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2022

I loved the fact that she never made herself out to be a hero. But instead she made herself out to be a Mom

Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2022

Definitely a great book ! It’s very inspiring with a powerful message. It’s a wonderful influence to this generation

This could become a screenplay for an amazing film.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022

How to Raise Black (Gentle) Men is a book everyone should read. It’s a poignant memoir of Sanya Simmons raising her boys as a divorced single mom – and the struggles, triumphs, and lessons
learned that have shaped who her sons (and Sanya) have become.

I spoke with Sanya after I read the book, and told her I could see this becoming a screenplay for a movie.

Her touching stories, honesty, discovery, and humility warmed my heart and gave me pause to really think about how important it is to recognize that young Black boys are at a heartbreaking
disadvantage in our society – and that we all can learn more about ourselves and how we choose to understand and navigate as adults, parents, aunties, people of influence.

Sanya Simmons has written a heartfelt, sincere and relevant guide full of important information for all single women raising future gentlemen of the world. With passion and authenticity, Simmons draws from her experiences with her two black sons to share consequential acts of courage in having difficult yet faithful conversations to thrive in life, as they become the young men God has purposed them to be.

Beth-Sarah Wright

PhD, Author of DIGNITY: Seven Strategies For Creating Authentic Community

A Single Mom’s Guide to Raising Black (Gentle)Men Audiobook Review

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
09-01-22

Thank you
Great writing and thank you for sharing your story I especially enjoyed Tommy and Matthew’s expressions at the end to their wonderful mom

A Single Mom’s Guide to Raising Black (Gentle)Men Audiobook Review

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
02-09-23

What a wonderful book!
After 14 years of marriage, I found myself in the new roll of Single Mother. With my oldest daughter away at school I found myself alone struggling to give me son what I thought he needed. THANK YOU for sharing your story! I found it at the perfect time and now have such a broader perspective on how I CAN love, support, encourage and accept my son for who he is. Thank u!

About Sanya

Sanya Simmons is a divorced mom of two grown sons. She believes that everyone has worth and purpose in this life. Sanya also believes that everyone is deserving of love. These two beliefs are the foundation of her parenting style.

Sanya is also an audiobook narrator, voice actor, Reiki Master, and an avid reader. She is passionate about the social issues affecting our sons, and she believes that we must do everything within our power to set them up for success.

Contact Sanya

Sanya Simmons Author, Audiobook Narrator & Voice Actor Author Contact Image

Contact Sanya for speaking engagements and events