Ashanti Branch has made it his life's work to challenge the very idea of men being told to "man up". In this episode, I sit down with Ashanti, the founder and director of the Ever Forward Club, to dive into what it really means to be a man—and why society's version is doing more harm than good.
Ashanti opens up about growing up without a father, the emotional roadblocks he faced, and how those experiences led him to create a safe space where young men (especially young men of color) can actually feel their feelings—without judgment. We unpack how the pressure to suppress emotions can spiral into struggles with school, mental health, and even substance abuse.
Why do so many young men struggle to truly connect with each other? And how do we change that? Ashanti brings the insights, the honesty, and the solutions. This is a conversation about breaking down walls, ditching the masks, and redefining strength—not as silence, but as self-awareness.
Find out more about Ashanti's work here: everforwardclub.org
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Ashanti Branch is an educator and mentor dedicated to transforming how students engage with education. In 2004, he launched The Ever Forward Club to support underrepresented youth, helping 100% of its members graduate high school, with 93% attending college. With nearly two decades of mentoring experience, Ashanti is on a mission to reshape education and empower the next generation.
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