Objective: African American adolescent males are infected with STDs at disproportionate rates compared to any other adolescent group. While factors such as early sexual début, a higher number of sexual partners, and sex without condoms partly account for such disparities, the factors associated with such risk behaviors remain unclear. The literature suggests that parents' characteristics are critical in keeping adolescents safe. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between parents' characteristics and sexual risk behaviors among this under-served and under-studied population. Methods: A sample of 120 sexually active African American adolescent males attending high school completed a self administered survey which assessed demographics, parent characteristics, family factors and sexual risk behaviors. Results: Using logistic regressions controlling for age, number of household members, and family income, findings indicated that participates who had parents with low education compared to those with high education, were almost 1.5 times more to have sex without condoms and 3 times more likely to have sex while using drugs. Additionally, parent composition (living in a 1 parent vs. 2 parent household) was not associated with age of sexual début or number of sexual partners. Implications: Study findings have significant implications for the design of intervention approaches to combating the sexual risk behaviors among African American adolescent males.