#MillionMaskMovement
Growing up without a mentor, I faced pain, bullying, and silence alone.

At @everforwardclub, we create safe spaces where youth can say, “I need help.”

Every young person deserves that.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/boWLAa0W000

#MillionMaskMovement #MentorshipMatters #EverForward
Who's your mentor?
#positivemasculinitymondayGrowing up without a mentor, I had to navigate pain, bullying, and silence on my own. My mom did her best, but she couldn’t teach m...
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July 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
#BranchOutSaturday

In 1972, Rev. Jesse Jackson led kids on Sesame Street in chanting “I Am Somebody.” A timeless message of self-worth we still need today. 💚

What does it mean to you? Tag someone who needs this.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WfbKZys6AVE

#IAmSomebody #MillionMaskMovement
I Am Somebody
#BranchOutSaturdayA powerful moment from 1972 that still resonates today. Rev Jesse Jackson Sr led children on Sesame Street in chanting "I Am — Somebody," a...
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April 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Young people need space to be real. 💚
Students at CSCE Oakland turned their #MillionMaskMovement cards into 3D masks, revealing the parts of themselves hidden behind “I’m fine.”

There’s always more beneath the surface. 🙏🏾🏹

Watch here:
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "This is what happens when you give young people space to be real. Students at CSCE csceoakland started with the #MillionMaskMovement on a 2D card. Just words. Just the surface. Then they built it in 3D, the front of...
32 likes, 7 comments - branchspeaks on May 19, 2026: "This is what happens when you give young people space to be real. Students at CSCE csceoakland started with the #MillionMaskMovement on a 2D card. Just words. Just the surface. Then they built it in 3D, the front of the mask, the back of the mask...
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May 27, 2026 at 12:03 AM
What if the mask you wear is what’s holding you back?

@EverForwardClub helps young people feel seen, heard, and supported through safe spaces, educator training, and the #MillionMaskMovement.

Improving education by helping people realize they’re not alone.

Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "What if the thing holding you back… is the mask you’ve learned to wear? Most young people are taught to hide what they feel. We’re here to change that. @EverForwardClub is a youth development organization and...
4 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on May 15, 2026: "What if the thing holding you back… is the mask you’ve learned to wear? Most young people are taught to hide what they feel. We’re here to change that. @EverForwardClub is a youth development organization and movement built on connection and...
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May 22, 2026 at 2:05 PM
I remember teaching young men who tested my time, patience, and purpose.

That’s why @undefined  Through #MillionMaskMovement, we’ve reached 200,000+ students worldwide.

Don’t give up on them—let us help you. 🙏🏾💚
May 8, 2026 at 11:02 PM
I’m struggling, hiding pain behind a smile—and I know I play a part in it.
We all wear masks.

Front: what we show.
Back: what we hide.

You’re not alone. The #MillionMaskMovement reminds us of that.

🎵 @devvonterrell
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "I’m struggling and hiding my pain behind a smile, and I know I’m partly to blame. What I really need is someone to reassure me that everything will be okay. 🎵 a beautiful music by @devvonterrell We wear masks ever
9 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on April 1, 2026: "I’m struggling and hiding my pain behind a smile, and I know I’m partly to blame. What I really need is someone to reassure me that everything will be okay. 🎵 a beautiful music by @devvonterrell We wear masks every day. Many of us are goin...
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April 8, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Teachers: When young men dodge serious talks with jokes, I gave them a paper mask—writing what’s seen outside vs. hidden inside. Silence fell.

That moment, captured in The Mask You Live In, sparked the #MillionMaskMovement

🎬
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "Teachers: Why would a group of young men begin joking when a serious topic is being discussed? When I started leading an advisory as a dean at Fremont High in Oakland @ousdnews, it happened every time session. The...
13 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on March 31, 2026: "Teachers: Why would a group of young men begin joking when a serious topic is being discussed? When I started leading an advisory as a dean at Fremont High in Oakland @ousdnews, it happened every time session. The moment a conversation got emot...
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April 7, 2026 at 2:03 PM
@EverForwardClub attended the Fresno Youth Transformation Conference, collecting artistic masks from Roosevelt High students and #MillionMaskMovement emotional masks.

Proud of these students for #TakingOffTheMask and growing in self-awareness and community.
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "@EverForwardClub attended the Fresno Youth Transformation Conference, where we collected both artistic masks made by art students at Roosevelt High School and #MillionMaskMovement emotional masks 🎭 We are proud of...
7 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on March 19, 2026: "@EverForwardClub attended the Fresno Youth Transformation Conference, where we collected both artistic masks made by art students at Roosevelt High School and #MillionMaskMovement emotional masks 🎭 We are proud of these students for #TakingOf...
f.mtr.cool
March 26, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Have you ever heard “man up”? Was it meant to help—or to shame?

When boys are told to hide feelings, we strip their humanity. I know—I lived it. At 7, I was told to be “the man.” I grew up fast, but still needed space to feel.

#MillionMaskMovement
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "Have you ever heard someone tell a boy or a man to ‘Man Up’? Was it used to motivate and encourage, or was it used to shame? When boys are told to 'MAN UP' without sufficient lessons or training, or to encourage them
24 likes, 2 comments - branchspeaks on March 17, 2026: "Have you ever heard someone tell a boy or a man to ‘Man Up’? Was it used to motivate and encourage, or was it used to shame? When boys are told to 'MAN UP' without sufficient lessons or training, or to encourage them to hide their feelings,...
f.mtr.cool
March 24, 2026 at 2:04 PM
“The best advice you can get is often the best advice you can give.”

🌱 Stepping into vulnerability grows connection & courage. Every mask we remove strengthens our community—and ourselves.

#MillionMaskMovement
Ashanti Branch | “The best advice you can get is often the best advice you can give.” Dr. Perry During a conversation, I found myself floating between two... | Instagram
19 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on February 10, 2026: "“The best advice you can get is often the best advice you can give.” Dr. Perry During a conversation, I found myself floating between two...
f.mtr.cool
February 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Hey Teachers, let me share the mask of an 11-year-old #millionmaskmovement 

#everforwardclub #youarenotalone #fyp #foryoupage
February 17, 2026 at 12:02 AM
The class clown: always laughing, always funny.

At the @everforwardclub Global Young Men’s Conference, participants explored #TakeOffTheMask.
Front: “funny.”
Back: sadness, stress, fear, anger.

Reminder: #ThereIsMoreToThem.
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "The class clown. Always funny. Always laughing. At the Global Young Men’s Conference organized by @everforwardclub, young men participated in the #MillionMaskMovement and, with that experience, learned to...
16 likes, 2 comments - branchspeaks on February 3, 2026: "The class clown. Always funny. Always laughing. At the Global Young Men’s Conference organized by @everforwardclub, young men participated in the #MillionMaskMovement and, with that experience, learned to #TakeOffTheMask. Front Of The Mask:...
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February 10, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Filmed at @Google HQ—before #100kMasks and the #MillionMaskMovement.
Front: happy. confident.
Back: fear. insecurity. imposter.

Nearly a decade later, the truth remains: we carry more than people can see.
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "What were you doing in 2016? This clip was filmed at @Google headquarters in 2016. Before the #100kMasks Challenge and the #MillionMaskMovement Front Of The Mask: happy. smart. confident. nice. Back Of The Mask fear....
6 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on January 29, 2026: "What were you doing in 2016? This clip was filmed at @Google headquarters in 2016. Before the #100kMasks Challenge and the #MillionMaskMovement Front Of The Mask: happy. smart. confident. nice. Back Of The Mask fear. insecurity. imposter. unqu...
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February 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
At the Global Young Men’s Conference by @EverForwardClub, many wrote “Happy” on the front of their masks—but half revealed Sad, Tired, or Anger on the back.

There’s more to people than meets the eye.

Sometimes the best move? Ask, listen, and create space.
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "At the Global Young Men’s Conference, organized by the @EverForwardClub, young men participated in the #MillionMaskMovement The top words shared on the Front of their masks: Happy. Funny. Kind. Friendly. Good. But...
6 likes, 0 comments - branchspeaks on January 27, 2026: "At the Global Young Men’s Conference, organized by the @EverForwardClub, young men participated in the #MillionMaskMovement The top words shared on the Front of their masks: Happy. Funny. Kind. Friendly. Good. But almost half… who wrote ...
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February 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Pt. 2 — I sat down with @heyitsjesswills of @liveinthebaytv to talk about @everforwardclub and the heart behind the #MillionMaskMovement.

What began with 8 young men is now a global reminder: safe spaces to be real matter.

 
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "Pt. 2 - I sat down with @heyitsjesswills of @liveinthebaytv to talk about @everforwardclub and the heart behind the #MillionMaskMovement. What started with 8 young men as a simple activity in the documentary “The...
40 likes, 3 comments - branchspeaks on January 20, 2026: "Pt. 2 - I sat down with @heyitsjesswills of @liveinthebaytv to talk about @everforwardclub and the heart behind the #MillionMaskMovement. What started with 8 young men as a simple activity in the documentary “The Mask You Live In” by @mis...
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January 27, 2026 at 3:04 PM
What’s behind your smile?

Often, “I’m fine” hides tired, hurting hearts.

The #MillionMaskMovement gives space to be real, reminds you you’re not alone, and lets the mask lift so connection begins. 💛
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: ""Behind My Smile" by Emma Elrod NWGA Free your Feels Youth Summit 2025 What’s really behind your smile? So often, the laughter, jokes, and “I’m fine” are masks—protecting a heart that’s tired, hurting, and st
The Million Mask Movement encourages people to shed their masks and be their true selves. By sharing their stories, individuals can find connection and support in a safe and non-judgmental community. This movement promotes social-emotional learning, empathy, and self-awareness, helping people to bre...
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January 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
January 1, 2026 at 3:04 PM
What if the mask you wear keeps you from who you’re meant to be?

I thought being a man meant being tough & quiet, but I was born to teach & help others feel seen.

Join the #MillionMaskMovement to support young men.

Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "What if the mask you wear every day is the very thing keeping you from becoming who you were born to be? I never planned to be a teacher. My mask told me that being a man meant making money, being tough, and staying...
The Million Mask Movement encourages young men to shed their masks and become the people they were born to be. With a focus on emotional wellness and mentorship, this movement promotes self-discovery, confidence, and empowerment. Join the movement and help create a brighter future for young men.
f.mtr.cool
December 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A student’s poem reminded us: smiles don’t always mean we’re okay.

That’s why the #MillionMaskMovement exists—to express what we carry and remind us we’re not alone.

Reflect. Create your mask at millionmask.org.

Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "What’s really behind your smile? Recently, at the Free Your Feels Conference in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, a middle school student shared a poem that stopped the room. “Behind My Smile” by Emma Elrod from Heritage..
In a powerful poem, a middle school student reveals the mask we all wear to hide our true feelings. But what lies beneath? The Million Mask Movement encourages us to be our authentic selves, embracing mental wellness and self-expression. Let's break free from societal expectations and connect with o...
f.mtr.cool
December 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The #MillionMaskMovement showed up strong at the Free Your Feels Teen Summit in Northwest Georgia.

Grateful to every brave and creative young person.

Want to bring this movement to your school or community? Let’s make it happen!
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "The #MillionMaskMovement was on the move again, this time in Northwest Georgia at the Free Your Feels Teen Summit at Fort Oglethorpe High School. Grateful for every young person who showed up with courage,...
17 likes, 3 comments - branchspeaks on November 25, 2025: "The #MillionMaskMovement was on the move again, this time in Northwest Georgia at the Free Your Feels Teen Summit at Fort Oglethorpe High School. Grateful for every young person who showed up with courage, creativity, and heart. When we crea...
f.mtr.cool
December 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It began with two questions:
What do you show the world—and what do you hide?
From The Mask You Live In (@missrepresentation), this sparked the #MillionMaskMovement—now 87K+ strong worldwide.
Create your mask 👉 millionmask.org 🎥 Watch:
Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "It started with two simple questions: What are the things you let the world see… and… What are the things you don’t let people see? In the Documentary ’The Mask You Live In’ by The Representation Project...
Join the Million Mask Movement and explore the transformative power of vulnerability in breaking free from societal expectations and living a more authentic life. Learn how this movement is promoting mental health awareness and social emotional learning through creative expression and open communica...
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November 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
#MaskOffMonday 🎭

What Monday mask are you wearing today?

We all wear masks, not just for protection but to fit in, to seem like we’ve got it all together. A student once told me, “I can’t even tell you what I can’t tell you.”

That silence is heavy. 

Ashanti Branch on Instagram: "#MaskOffMonday What Monday Morning Mask are you wearing today? We all wear masks.. Not just for Halloween 🎭 🎃 or the personal Protection masks 😷 we wore during COVID-19, but the ones that hide our real selves. T
In this thought-provoking series, we delve into the concept of masks and how they impact our daily lives. From the masks we wear to fit in to the ones that hide our true emotions, we explore the complexities of identity and self-expression. Join the #MillionMaskMovement and discover a world where yo...
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October 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM