The study found that strong Africentric beliefs (primacy of family and community interdependent relationships and responsibilities) were related to the start of alcohol consumption at a later age than their peers with weak adherence to such beliefs. Africentrism as well as religiosity were protective factors against starting alcohol consumption under strong negative peer influences. The likely protection afforded by Africentrism, however, decreased as negative peer risks increased. Africentric beliefs reduced the likelihood of lifetime alcohol use; however, the protective characteristics of Africentrism diminished to the point of being inconsequential in high-risk peer contexts. These findings suggest that programs for African-American youth which focus on the Africentric and religious values of concern for others in a family-related and community life will delay the start of alcohol use even under exposure to peer associations that carry a high risk for alcohol use. The study consisted of 114 African-American adolescents (ages 13-20) who were recruited from programs, sites, and agencies that served youth exposed to individual, family, or community factors that put them at risk for substance abuse. Participants were administered a questionnaire that measured alcohol initiation and use, peer risk behaviors, ethnic identity, Africentric beliefs, religiosity, and demographic characteristics. 5 tables, 5 figures, and 72 references