Houston, mark your calendars—January 14, 2025, promises the touchdown of a lifetime! NFL Super Bowl Champion, author, and creative visionary Martellus Bennett is gearing up to release his heartfelt picture book, Dear Black Boy. Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, this inspirational work is more than a book—it’s a love letter to young boys of color who are often told that their only path to greatness lies in sports.

“The Biggest Game Is Life”

In Dear Black Boy, Bennett weaves rhythmic and reassuring words of wisdom, reminding children that the qualities that make them excel on the field—mental toughness, passion, and determination—are the same tools they need to navigate life’s challenges. With a tone that’s both empowering and encouraging, Bennett makes it clear: the world is rooting for them not just as athletes, but as future innovators, leaders, and game-changers.

The book’s vibrant, dreamlike illustrations invite kids to see themselves in its pages, reinforcing a vision where possibilities stretch far beyond courts and stadiums. It’s a call to dream big, to embrace every ounce of potential, and to recognize that they’re not defined by their athletic prowess but by the impact they can have on the world.

More Than a Book—A Movement

Bennett’s work is a different kind of coaching playbook—one that champions self-worth, confidence, and the courage to forge a unique path. Dear Black Boy is essential reading not just for Black and brown children but for kids of all backgrounds. It’s a testament to the power of representation, reminding readers that their dreams are valid, and their voices matter.

For Houston’s diverse community, this book lands as a much-needed reminder: the biggest victories are won off the field, in classrooms, boardrooms, and neighborhoods. Bennett’s message speaks to a universal truth while celebrating the unique challenges and triumphs of boys of color.

When and Where to Find It

Available nationwide on January 14, 2025, Dear Black Boy will be sold wherever books are found. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or community leader, this book belongs on every child’s shelf. For more details, visit quarto.com.

The Final Whistle

Martellus Bennett has once again proven he’s more than just a Super Bowl champion—he’s a champion for the next generation. With Dear Black Boy, he delivers a message that resonates far beyond sports, offering hope, encouragement, and a vision of boundless possibilities. Houston, let’s rally around this inspiring release and remind every young dreamer that the game of life is theirs to win.

Advance praise for Dear Black Boy:

“The captivating images in this wonderful new edition of Martellus Bennett’s Dear Black Boy further highlight his inspirational message of individual and collective struggle – through sports disciplines and through social justice movements. Children, regardless of their gender, are sure to love and to learn from this beautiful book.”

—Angela Davis, Political Activist, Educator, Author

“A great book for boys to read for the first time with an amazing mission. Written with amazing intentions for a futuristic direction.”

—Chuck Inglish, Producer, designer, artist, actor, and chef

“In every Black boy’s heart, a world of untamed imagination awaits. Dear Black Boy is a celebration of that boundless creativity. Let this story remind you that within each of us lies the power to turn dreams into reality, transforming our most difficult days into unlimited possibilities and true freedom.”

—Carl Jones, Producer of The Boondocks/Black Dynamite, animation writer, director

“Dear Black Boy allows Black men to tap into their boyhood at its essence. It serves as a guide that allows us to explore every side that we’ve been told we don’t possess. Working in education, representation, and imagination means everything. I think there is something for everyone to experience in Dear Black Boy.”

—Jarren Small, Co-founder and CEO of Reading with a Rapper

“Dear Black Boy is a clarion call for resilience and imagination, urging Black boys everywhere to confront their challenges, embrace their identities, and envision a future where they define their own destinies.”

—Michael Bennett, Super Bowl Champion, pro bowler, and architect

“This powerful book encourages young Black boys to prepare their minds, bodies, and skills to achieve the unimaginable. It’s a heartfelt guide that champions passion and conviction, empowering them to lead with strength and purpose. Dear Black Boy is not just a book; it’s a movement for every Black boy to embrace their potential and rise to greatness.”

—Jason Mayden, Chief Design Officer, Jordan Brand

“I wish someone could have provided this information to me when I was young. For men like me reading this now, I suggest you take its message to heart.”

—Serigne Mbaye, James Beard Award Winner, chef, and owner of Dakar NOLA Restaurant

“Martellus Bennett pens a story for dreamers. He inspires Black boys to aspire to more, work harder, and manifest a life they were once told they couldn’t achieve. Dear Black Boy is a WIN for us all.”

—Ryan Clark, 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards Winner, sports broadcaster, Super Bowl Champion, and pro bowler

“I believe every Black boy in America should have this book as part of their curriculum from K through 12. It’s monuMINTal.”

—Tobe Nwigwe, Rapper, singer, actor

“Dear Black Boy is a piece of ART needed more now than ever. We’re often confronted with finite ways we can dream and be successful. This book widens that view. These words breathe possibility, responsibility, and HOPE!”

—Frank E. Abney III, Writer, director. and animator

For more info, visit quarto.com.