In communities across the country, Bill Cosby has publicly drawn attention in the last three years to the dire crises in black America: more young men in prison than in college, 50 percent high-school drop-out rates, too many children born to teen-aged parents, children whose parents are ill-equipped and disinterested in parenting. These problems have been fermenting for years, but few have called them out with as much force, determination, passion, and credibility as has Dr. Cosby.


Now Cosby, one of America's most beloved and revered cultural icons, and Alvin F. Poussaint, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a civil rights veteran, lay out their message of hope and empowerment in a new book with Nashville-based publisher Thomas Nelson, entitled "Come on, People! On the Path from Victims to Victors," scheduled for publication in fall 2007.


"Come on People!" is built around the themes of Cosby's popular call-out sessions, in which he has challenged people in towns and cities across America to reclaim and restore their families and communities.


Cosby and Poussaint share their vision for strengthening America by addressing the crisis of people frozen in feelings of low self-esteem, abandonment, anger, fearfulness, sadness, and feelings of being used, undefended, and unprotected. By addressing these issues and providing tools to deal with them, Cosby and Poussaint help empower people to make the daunting transition from victims to victors.


At times challenging, at times inspirational, "Come On, People!" provides real-life examples of the problems plaguing communities throughout America and the time-tested solutions that can help turn things around.

"I am honored to work with Drs. Cosby and Poussaint on this important book," said David Dunham, senior vice president and Thomas Nelson group publisher. "There have been a few books in American history that have actually shaped the course of the nation. I feel confident that this book has that kind of potential. No two people in America are better poised to address this subject in any way more meaningful or more constructive than Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint."