This book presents the experiences and ideas of a leading black educator, interweaving his autobiography with the stories of contemporary street gang members and former members. Their own words illustrate Gentry's thesis that even the hardest gang members want to get an education and want to find The Hope Factor. In addition, the book offers an approach for dealing with the greatest challenges facing the nation today: urban violence and the miseducation of minority youth.

Gentry begins by outlining his major themes and then examines American urban education, using his own personal history as well as his more than 25 years of experience in the field. He then provides exemplary case studies and proposes practical solutions. The book is addressed to future teachers and administrators as well as to those now in urban schools, and to all concerned with the state of urban and minority education.