Skip to Content

“The Mask You Live In” Screening and Panel Discussion


Tackling the Crisis facing Boys and Men in Tucson

Many boys are taught to never show their emotions, and that they must win at all costs. In addition, teenaged boys today often lack access to loving, reliable adult men who can accompany their own journey towards adulthood. As a result, adolescent boys in America today are at increased risks for depression, anxiety, suicide, and acting out in violent ways. All of these problems are hyper-concentrated by other factors in Tucson, such as racism, poverty, trauma, and intergenerational cycles of violence. Our boys need our help.

On June 26th, Boys to Men Tucson is partnering with The Loft Cinema, The University of Arizona’s Consortium on Gender-Based Violence, Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse, Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, TUSD, and Healthy Pima to host a critical event on behalf of the boys and young men in Southern Arizona.

Ashanti Branch’s groundbreaking work is featured in the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Mask You Live In.”

This two-part event begins with a screening of this powerful documentary, which follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.

At 4 PM :Ashanti Branch, whose work is featured in the film, will facilitate an interactive workshop with all participants that focuses on gender socialization, equity, and mental health—and his work in particular is attentive to the experience of black and brown masculine-identified teenagers.

Around 5 PM, we will introduce our local leaders, who will localize the stakes of the conversation by sharing a bit about how issues of masculinity and gender equity impact their own communities in Tucson.

The panelists are:

  • Anna Harper-Guerrero, from Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse
  • Gabe Trujillo, Superintendent of TUSD
  • Lance Meeks, Goodwill Metro Youth Program
  • Chucho Ruiz, Chicanos Por La Causa
  • Michael Brasher, Boys to Men Tucson