National Rites of Passage Institute

Facilitates youth and community development

  • Home
  • About Us
  • History
  • Books
  • Media
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us

History

The National Rites of Passage Institute History

3891135669_4c82e30063-150x225 copy
Paul Hill Jr.

The National Rites of Passage Institute (NROPI) was founded in 1993 by Paul Hill, Jr. Mr Hill’s involvement with the rites of passage in the late 1970’s with his seven children and their friends. His rites of passage experiences evolved from a family and community initiative to a city, state and national movement that peeked in late 1990’s.

For over 30 years, The National Rites of Passage Institute (NROPI) has worked in collaboration with communities, organizations, practitioners and scholars, to facilitate child and youth development and community building through the use of culturally-specific rites of passage. The process promotes cultural identity, character building, leadership development and Manhood/Womanhood development.
NROPI has trained hundreds of adults who have impacted over 10,000 young people throughout the United States and Canada.

What is rites of passage?

Rites of Passage, as a developmental and transformational process, is culturally specific – not universal. It is based on the premise that a group must recognize and affirm itself before it is able to share and appreciate the differences of others.

Rites of Passage also recognizes that entry into adult life involves the realization of social obligations and the assumption of responsibility for meeting them. Initiation sets a time on the journey for bringing individuals into formal and explicit relations with their kindred. It strengthens social ties for the day that they will be tested.

Rites of Passage not only provides self development and cultural awareness, it fosters a sense of belonging. Adolescents and adults will become part of community life; not persons alone, lacking support, sanction, and purpose.

The National Rites of Passage Institute (NROPI), in collaboration with communities, organizations, practitioners and scholars, has been elevating the value of culturally-based Rites of Passage in youth and community development for more than 30 years.

NROPI is a national hub, a cultural learning center and a clearinghouse for providing information, training, programming, technical assistance, consulting, assessment and intentional conversations on African-centered Rites of Passage for child, youth and community development.

The objectives of NROPI are as follows:

  • Elevating the understanding and value of culturally-based rites of passage.
  • Being a national clearinghouse for information and resources on rites of passage.
  • Advocating for rites of passage as part of all national conversation on youth develop.

 

  • Racism (White Supremacy) and the Black Child
  • Guardians and the Generations
  • Self Determination
  • The Black Child Family & the Community
  • Arts & the Black Child
  • Foundations & Practices

Let’s Stay in Touch

Please contact us with any questions, concerns or comments
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter

The National Rites of Passage Institute

NROPI – P.O. Box 301
13940 Cedar Road
University Heights, Ohio 44118

Copyright © 2023 · National Rites of Passage Institute