The Big Payback: A Guide on Raising a Young Man as a Single Mother from the Perspective of a Young Man (Cederick Tardy Enterprises; $15) by Cederick Tardy II, age 23, is recommended reading by Black Enterprise Magazine, Nov. 2007.

"Every single mother faced with the daunting task of raising a male child should read The Big Payback," said Alfred A. Edmond Jr., Black Enterprise Magazine senior V.P. and editor-in-chief.

"Many of us are painfully aware that young black men are in crisis. Solving that crisis must entail not just ministering to the needs of our young males but also to the needs of the young women who, for better or worse, shoulder the primary burden for raising them," said Edmond.

Edmond agrees that, "More black men need to step up and take up their rightful roles as positive examples, role models, and guides for our boys." In the meantime, Tardy shares the
real life, intimate and even embarrassing truth about his life. In his book, Tardy is brutally honest about his self-destructive behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, drug dealing, and even
suicide attempt.

"I would be remiss if I did not note the courage it took for his mother [Margo Williams Handy,
president and CEO of MWH Public Relations] to support him in revealing what must be very painful experiences that most people would prefer not to remember, much less have their child share," said Edmond.

"The Big Payback is an indispensable tool for young women who struggle to guide their sons to healthy, productive manhood. I recommend the book to anyone who wants to better understand and positively influence young men, whether as a father, grandparent, stepparent, mentor, educator, youth leader, older sibling, relative, or whatever," said Edmond.

For more information, visit www.ctardyenterprises.com