Ever Forward Club joined 30 global orgs at the Rare Impact Fund Capacity Building Workshop in NYC. We explored strategy, collaboration, and growth while representing youth mental health leadership. This milestone strengthens our global vision and commitment to empowering young men—one mask at a time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2025
Ashanti Branch’s Debut Book “Diary of a Confused Educator (Part 1)” Drops Today
Oakland, California – After twenty-one of years guiding young people as a teacher, mentor, coach and administrator, award-winning educator Ashanti Branch proudly announces the release of his first book, Diary of a Confused Educator (Part 1). Launching today, May 28, 2025, this deeply personal collection of stories takes of the author’s mask and offers a mirror, a roadmap and a love letter to every educator, mentor and parent who’s ever questioned their purpose in challenging systems.
“If you’ve ever felt like you were doing the work but still didn’t have it all figured out... you’re not alone. This book is for you.” - Ashanti Branch, M.Ed.
A Journey Written in Classrooms and Conversations
Diary of a Confused Educator charts Ashanti’s path from an overwhelmed math teacher in Oakland, CA, where he was born and raised, to global changemaker and founder of the Ever Forward Club and the #MillionMaskMovement. What began as a mission to help students learn and grow became a revelation of just how many young people feel unseen, unheard and unsupported within rigid educational systems.
Told in the form of a diary, Ashanti recounts moments of humour, confusion, compassion and vulnerability—moments when one courageous educator dared to listen deeply, connect genuinely, and believe fiercely that every young person deserves a safe space to uncover and embrace their authentic selves.
Inspiring Reflection and Renewal
As you reflect on your own journey—whether as an educator, mentor, coach, or parent—Diary of a Confused Educator will remind you why you do this work. It invites readers to recall the pivotal moments when they needed reassurance, an ear, someone to see and understand. This is a book about following one’s calling and it encourages readers to keep healing, keep exploring and keep moving ever forward.
Book Details
Title: Diary of a Confused Educator (Part 1)
Author: Ashanti Branch, M.Ed.
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Format: Paperback, eBook, and audiobook
About the Author
Ashanti Branch is an M.Ed.-award-winning teacher, mentor, and administrator who has dedicated
over two decades to walking alongside young people. As the founder of the Ever Forward Club and the #MillionMaskMovement, he uses humour, empathy and authenticity to advocate for educational equity and youth empowerment.
Media Contact
Katrina Burson
Ever Forward Club
Email: Katrina@everforwardclub.org
Phone: 510-854-6794
🔗 Grab your copy today:
👉 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/diary-of-a-confused-educator/708a95d4488e8df8?ean=9798998851506&next=t
👉 Books Inc: https://booksinc.net/book/9798998851506
Or anywhere you buy books.
At our May Advocates for Young Men gathering, young leaders AJ and Jorge shared powerful truths about trust, judgment, and what teens really need from adults. We celebrated 21 years of Ever Forward Club and explored how empathy—not lectures—builds connection. When we listen deeply, we create space for young men to thrive.
"What happens when young people are given space to be real? At Ever Forward Club, we’re finding out—one mask at a time. This May, we held Mental Health Action Day at 3 SF schools, helping students explore emotions behind their masks. Read on to see the impact—and what’s coming next.
The Ever Forward Club joyfully celebrated its 21st anniversary with a vibrant Community Dance-A-Thon. Nearly 100 participants joined the festivities, enjoying dancing, creative art activities, and community connections. All proceeds from this heartwarming event will support the upcoming Young Men's Conference, empowering local youth through workshops and mentoring.
At the 2025 Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit, Ashanti Branch of the Ever Forward Club led a powerful conversation and mask-making activity that invited attendees to explore vulnerability, identity, and emotional wellness. Through the #MillionMaskMovement, participants reflected on what they show the world—and what they often keep hidden.
The Ever Forward Club brought its powerful #MillionMaskMovement to Seton Hall University during the Men’s Mental Health Gala on April 24, 2025. Led by keynote speaker Ashanti Branch, the event created a transformative space for college men to explore vulnerability, emotional wellness, and authentic connection. Through interactive mask-making, campus tabling, and student dialogue, this partnership illuminated the urgent need to prioritize men’s mental health on college campuses.
This is a recap of the RestorED Pilot Project conducted by the Ever Forward Club and The F.I.N.D. Design in partnership with Metro Nashville Schools.
Earlier this spring, we had the privilege of co-leading a powerful experience that left us transformed and deeply hopeful. As The Ever Forward Club, our mission has always been to create brave spaces where young people can reflect, connect, and be their full selves. But this time, our work was part of something even bigger—a city-wide movement for healing and restoration.
We were invited to Nashville by our incredible partners at The F.I.N.D. Design, in collaboration with Metro Nashville Public Schools and hosted by the beautiful folks at I'm Stronger Than My Father. Together, we launched The RestorED Project—a healing-centered, educator-focused initiative funded by New Profit that is changing how school communities care for both students and staff.
The RestorED Project is not your average professional development. It’s a trauma-informed, Afrocentric wellness experience rooted in the belief that educators—especially Black educators—deserve to be seen, supported, and sustained.
During the pilot phase, we helped create a wellness space for 35 educators that included healing circles, sound therapy, culturally responsive SEL tools, and care packages designed with love and intention. These weren’t just PD sessions—they were soul sessions.
We witnessed 35 educators take a deep breath—some for the first time in months. We heard teachers say things like:
“This is the first time I’ve felt poured into by the system I pour so much into.”
And the data backs it up:
85% of participants reported increased well-being and support.
Educators left with emotional tools and a tangible sense of community.
The Teacher Hub—a digital platform for continued healing-centered engagement—was launched to sustain the work beyond the event.
This is what collective care looks like. And this is what school transformation feels like.
As part of this experience, we led our Taking Off The Mask workshop with 25 middle school students at HG Hill Middle School. Using our signature mask postcards, students reflected on the faces they show the world and the emotions they often hide.
In that room, the students showed up with courage. They named their fears. They honored their truths. They held space for one another in ways that even adults sometimes struggle to do. It was pure magic—and deeply aligned with the RestorED vision of building emotionally intelligent, culturally safe classrooms.
We left Nashville with full hearts and a clear purpose. Alongside our brothers and sisters at The F.I.N.D. Design, we’re working to bring The RestorED Project to Oakland. Because our educators and students here are holding similar pain, facing similar burnout, and deserve the same intentional healing.
We know that restoration is possible. We saw it happen. And now we’re ready to bring that same care, creativity, and courage to our own community.
None of this would’ve been possible without a few key champions:
✨ Kara James, Co-Founder of The F.I.N.D. Design, whose vision, leadership, and deep commitment to Black girl and educator wellness laid the foundation for this work.
✨ Melissa Gordon of Metro Nashville Public Schools, whose organizing and advocacy ensured educators had access to this restorative space.
✨ Renee Jones from I'm Stronger Than My Father, who hosted us with so much warmth and created a space that radiated love and care from the moment we walked in the door.
This wasn’t just a workshop. It was a homecoming for our spirits. It was a reminder that we don’t have to do this work alone—and we’re not supposed to.
So, to everyone who showed up, shared their truth, and held space: we see you. We thank you. And we carry this healing forward, wherever we go next.
Boys and young men today are facing unprecedented challenges. Whether it's falling behind academically, navigating emotional isolation, or confronting mental health struggles, they are searching for answers in a world that often misunderstands them. At the same time, many adults struggle to know how to help.
At the Ever Forward Club, we see these struggles daily—and we also see resilience, courage, and brilliance waiting to be recognized. As AJ Neberay and Saul Neftali Perez, two Ever Forward youth leaders, powerfully demonstrated when they shared the stage with Richard Reeves at the Common Sense Summit, young men can rise when they are seen, heard, and supported.
Their words, filled with insight and emotional maturity, reminded everyone in that room—and now remind us all—why this work matters now more than ever.
Boys are falling behind in schools not because they are less capable, but because our systems often aren't designed with them in mind. Consider:
Boys are nearly a full grade level behind girls in English across most districts.
Male teacher representation has dropped from 33% to 23%, leaving fewer male role models.
23% of boys are diagnosed with developmental disabilities—twice as many as girls—raising the question: Is the system itself failing boys?
Perhaps most urgently, the mental health statistics are staggering:
Suicide rates for men are 4 times higher than for women.
Two-thirds of men say no one really knows them well.
15% of young men report having no close friends.
Among Black boys, suicide attempts have increased 73% over recent decades.
Since 2004, the Ever Forward Club has provided safe, mentor-led spaces for young men—especially young men of color—to gather, share, grow, and heal. Whether through our school-based clubs, Taking Off The Mask (TOTM)workshops, or the global #MillionMaskMovement, we help young people take off the emotional "masks" they wear to survive and learn how to thrive.
These masks—often showing "funny," "happy," or "strong" on the front—hide real pain: sadness, fear, anxiety. We’ve collected over 75,000 masks across six continents, each telling a story of hidden truth and a cry for connection.
Supporting boys and men does not mean ignoring the very real challenges faced by women and girls. Progress is not a zero-sum game. Instead, we must move forward together, championing equity and empathy for all.
We uplift both genders when we build systems that value emotional intelligence, connection, and wholeness over perfection and performance.
In a world dominated by curated success and filtered perfection, young men often internalize toxic messages about what it means to be “successful” or “strong.” The comparison culture, fueled by social media, leads many to feel like they're never enough.
That’s why we prioritize real-life mentorship, storytelling, and community building. Our young leaders like AJ and Saul embody this shift—they are the role models the world needs.
To truly address the boy crisis, we need a holistic, community-wide approach:
Design boy-friendly learning environments.
Increase male teacher and mentor representation.
Support emotional development alongside academics.
Encourage emotional vulnerability.
Teach that asking for help is strength, not weakness.
Balance masculine and feminine traits as equally valuable.
Launch mentorship programs with local role models.
Equip educators through trainings like TOTM Training of Trainers.
Offer safe spaces where boys can be honest, supported, and heard.
When AJ and Saul stood up at the Common Sense Summit, they weren’t just representing themselves. They carried with them the stories of thousands of other young men—warriors in disguise—who are too often unseen.
Their bravery is a beacon: a reminder that healing happens when we create space, listen deeply, and walk with our young people—not ahead of them or behind them, but beside them.
The #MillionMaskMovement is your invitation to begin. It’s simple, powerful, and transformative. Over 75,000 people have already taken the challenge. Are you next?
🌀 Make your own mask and explore what’s behind it: millionmask.org
🧡 Join our community of support and learning: Advocates for Young Men
📬 Stay connected to stories, tools, and events: Join our newsletter
Together, let’s create a world where all young people—especially boys and young men—are seen, heard, and empowered to rise.
This was our first live relay since 2019, though we’ve had our challenges the past two years our community showed up and came together to create this beautiful and impactful fund raising event. Together we raised over $17,000 for the MillionMaskMovement and our teen mental health and community wellness initiatives and donations are still coming in! In addition to this event’s success, we were able to come together and celebrate 18 years of Ever Forward and it was incredibly fun! We extend a sincere thank you to our beautiful community for all your support, love, and contributions. With out all of you, none of this is possible.
Your Efforts and Support in this years event helped to provide direct funding and support for Ever Forward’s #MillionMaskMovement, which provides mental health resources to underserved youth around the world.
We want to hear your thoughts!
Keep in touch, drop us a line, stay connected, and receive updates
This critical funding will help us in our efforts to provide support, resources, and mentoring for young adults and students so that they can address and increase awareness of mental health issues.
[OAKLAND,CA], March 2, 2022: The Ever Forward Club today announced it is one of the 2022 recipients of the Hollister Confidence Fund grant program, a 501(c)(3) charity that supports individuals and nonprofits working to strengthen confidence and mental wellness in teens.
As a recipient, The Ever Forward Club will be granted $50,000 to support its goal of expanding the reach of the Peer Mentoring program and the MillionMaskMovement . The announcement comes in celebration of Hollister’s World Teen Mental Wellness Day, an annual event held on March 2 that the global teen retailer founded in partnership with the National Day Calendar to dismantle the stigma around teen mental health.
The Ever Forward Club is excited for this partnership to expand the work of the #MillionMaskMovement and the Ever Forward Peer Mentoring Clubs.
Starting May 28, @ 10 AM (PST) through May 29, 10 AM (PST)
Run, walk, and ride to raise money for 24 straight hours to support our youth with the Ever Forward Club's #MillionMaskMovement.
Join us in helping at-risk teens achieve their goals, both inside and outside the classroom, with signature self-reflection tools (www.100kmasks.com) and community building that fosters peer-to-peer support and deep connection.
Help Ever Forward sponsor 5 East Bay Area students to attend this years # SXSW EDU 2022 . Make a donation and help us reach our sponsorship goal of $5,000 to create a positive and formative experience for these outstanding youth.
Do you care about the well-being of your fellow students? Become a peer mentor!
The Million Mask Movement: Peer Mentor program trains young people to help others address mental health concerns so everyone can thrive.
If you would like to become a peer mentor, or bring the Million Mask Movement: Peer Mentor program to your school or community organization, please contact us.
This Year We’re Sponsoring 300 Teachers to bring The Adventure Card Game to Their Schools !
Get involved or Learn More about this global movement !
“ By closing the gap between who we are on the inside and how we show up in our interactions with others, we create the potential for more meaningful connections, healthier communication patterns, and deeper engagement with our communities ”
** If Your School site is in need of a SCHOLARSHIP to bring TOTM: The Box to your school please reach out to our team at everforwardclub@gmail.com to let us know. SUBJECT - TOTM BOX Scholarship Request
2021 has been a year of growth, progress, and humanity. Join the Ever Forward Club for our virtual holiday party to reflect and celebrate all the progress that we have made together. We’ll be hosting our event virtually on Tuesday, December 14th 2021 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM PST. Please register and RSVP with the Link or QR code provided below.
& Other Bay Area and Nationwide Teachers
Just a reminder, the first Webinar for the Taking Off The Mask Adventure Educator Pack is Coming Up.
We Are Very Excited To Host This Event, and will be with you every step of the way!
This is an intimate, educator only event where information about the adventure card game will be given out.
An in depth explanation and guidance on what to do and how to lead your students into an eye-opening experience.
When we created EFC: the Adventure, we had mentors and educators of all kinds in mind and we designed our crowdfunding campaign to sponsor teachers to receive a deck of #EFCadventure for free. The Challenges in Our adventure are deeply meaningful and allow students to go deep. However As we began to develop the questions and the gameplay, we realized that it was critical that teachers were provided with more than just the rules for the game but they needed training for getting students prepared for deeply meaningful conversations or activities.
We worked with a group of young men during the prototype Game Play. We realized that, In addition to raising money to provide this game for free for teachers, We needed to provide some deeper training to teachers to create a safe space for their students to play this game.
EFC: ADVENTURE CARD GAME - EDUCATOR WEBINAR
REGISTER NOW!
