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Black Families Online
PO Box 81
Eola, IL 60519

The Family Man Online
September 2003

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Reviewed by Gregory Keer

Author Stacey B. Montgomery delivers an exhaustive package of more than 380 Web resources for Black families. A Webmaster herself, of the popular CelebratingChildren.com, Montgomery hopes her publication will guide the growing number of Black adults now logging onto the Web. As such, the book is partially a primer in using the Web (highlighted by a glossary of Internet-related terms) as well as a directory of information, products, and services catering to the Black community.

The inspiration for Black Families Online comes from Montgomery’s own experience as a parent. "I am always in search of Afrocentric products for my son and gifts for friends’ children,” says the Illinois resident. “It is pretty impossible to find much of a selection near my home. So I turn to the Internet."

Turning from the Internet to this book, Montgomery has divided the fruits of her labor into 20 categories, including Bath and Beauty, Black Culture, Charitable and Civic Organizations, College and Scholarships, Genealogy, Health and Development, and Parenting. Each review entry includes the name, URL, and description of what the user will find at the site. Montgomery, a former lawyer, is careful not to pass judgement on the products or services, preferring to lead the user to the site to decide on their own. Occasionally, a sidebar accompanies a review, explaining why a particular site owner has gone online. These asides provide insight into the development of the Black community on the Web.

While the book targets Black families, Montgomery hopes it will appeal to a wide array of people interested in multiculturalism. With this thoughtful and organized publication, she should easily open doors for those wanting to know more about Blacks online.

Reprinted with permission.