Steve Kurtagh
Bonobo
USA • Northern California
Steve Kurtagh
“My Mission is to create a better world by selfless service to others.”
Steve Kurtagh has been a leader for Boys To Men in Northern California since 2010. In the last two years he has spearheaded Boys-To-Men circles in San Francisco, trained more than a dozen new leaders, established Northern California Boys To Men as an independent 501c3, while keeping the existing programs in Santa Cruz County going. During Covid, he managed to adapt the program from an historical in-person model to an online model. In the years with Boys to Men, Steve has raised funds, organized and staffed boys weekends, helped start new circles, and has impacted the lives of hundreds of boys. Steve lives in Santa Cruz, California. He has been married for 49 years, and has a daughter and two grandsons. He has been an active volunteer since his retirement in 2010. He is the President of the Board and Program Director for Boys to Men Northern California, which he established as an independent organization in the last two years. He is also a mentor/docent at Ano Nuevo State Park Seal Rookery, and volunteers at Santa Cruz Operation Surf, and at YearUp.
Paul Johnson
Wolf King
USA • Chicago
Paul Johnson
“I create safety in the world by holding a vision of the Divine for the protection of the initiation of the sacred masculine for myself and for the world.”
Paul has dedicated his life to battling racism, sexism, and homophobia in the labor movement. We celebrate his exceptional contributions to making the world a safer place and living his mission, both inside and outside MKP. Paul was a local business representative in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a union organization with more than 17,000 members. His role exposed him too many challenging situations throughout his career which called for a different viewpoint, to resolve cultural issues. Paul’s wisdom and experience he developed in his years with MKP, enabled him to handle a vast array of diverse situations. His work in changing men’s perspectives to see each other as human, with differences, still lives lives on today. In the early 2000s, he designed and facilitated a training program called “Blind Privilege”, which educates and supports men looking at their learned childhood core beliefs that perpetuate racism and privilege in the world. Paul is a Chicago native and a former IBEW labor representative. He was initiated as a New Warrior in 1993 at Camp Henry Horner. He has staffed over 92 MKP weekends, including as a certified co-leader.”
Cory Derby
Red Bull with Open Heart
USA • Central Plains
Cory Derby
“To create a loving world by trusting myself, others and God.”
This man gives some of the men of Sioux City a 2nd chance! He established his life to the point where he owns and runs a lawn care/snow removal business after being incarcerated for living part of his life in the drug world. He hires many unfortunates in his business to get a work history and a chance to get their feet back on the ground. He was an integral member of the founding of an Oxford House, a 3/4 house living facility for recovering alcoholics/addicts. He participates in a yearly campout, in January, to raise funds for the homeless. He has started taking Recovery into jails and sponsors many men in Recovery. He shares of his Gifts to help the less fortunate get a chance for Recovery.
Cory grew up in Sioux City. Born 1971. Corresponded with Warrior Brother for 63 months while serving time in Federal prison. Initiated in April 2007 in Central Plains. Two years ago, stepped away from secure full time work and started working full time in lawn care/snow removal business he has developed over his lifetime.
Piers Cross
Powerful Lion
UK and Ireland
Piers Cross
“I create a world of love and connection through feeling everything both the light and the dark. And by being present with an open heart.”
I support men and teenage boys to heal from childhood trauma especially in the realm of boarding school individually and globally. I work with men and boys coaching and mentoring 1-1 specifically around childhood trauma and boarding school syndrome. I have published a book last year called How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging in Times. My second book is currently with the publishers called Boarding School Syndrome and Recovery where I share my own journey of abuse, suicide and trauma at a boarding school. I also run a podcast called An Evolving Man where I interview leaders in the trauma and men’s psychology field. I run a bi-weekly men’s circle online focusing on masculine psychology and boarding school. I also am a Volunteer Explorer Scout leader for 15-18 year old and a DofE Supervisor and Assessor. I also work as an artist, and a poet.
Jeremy Byard
Amateur Prophet Bonobo
USA • Mid America Area, Kentucky Legacy
Jeremy Byard
“To create an equitable world by empowering others, by being passionate, open minded, and vulnerable.”
Jeremy Byard is a veteran and a visionary who is a passionate advocate devoted to ensuring our community has equitable access to high quality, evidence-based solutions, and services. Byard has expertise in organizing and building Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care, implementation of evidence-based interventions, legislative advocacy, arts-based participatory community-based activism, and research.
Jeremy Byard is the founder and director of KY’s first Louisville Recovery Community Organization (LRCC.) Jeremy recognized the gap in support and advocacy services and launched this endeavor in 2019. The LRCC is a safe and inclusive space for all and is a hub of resources for our most vulnerable members of our community and serves over 15,000 individuals annually. The Organization has brought forth multiple programs including KY’s first mobile telehealth unit, distributed over 1000 Covid tests, hosted 3 Covid vaccination events, provided 6,000 meals to the homeless, given over 37K hygiene and survival items to the homeless and hosted many more events to the marginalized in Louisville. Jeremy’s organization provided 3000 Narcon doses and he personally performed 7 OD reversals. LRCC has a budget of $500K and operates with 4 staff, 2 interns and many volunteers. Jeremy lives out his mission every day by empowering others and he has built a multicultural organization which continues to grow. Byard has been a key stakeholder in recent legislation resulting in positive change to our criminal justice system.
Mish Middelmann
Seeing Bat
South Africa • Johannesburg
Mish Middelmann
“I create a world of love and creative fulfillment by loving, connecting and empowering myself and others.”
As a prostate cancer survivor Mish’s service to the world is a unique online global support group and website for men who had their prostate removed, and their loved ones. Mish started as a successful IT entrepreneur who thereafter crafted his own leadership coaching business. He is a past National Director of MKP South Africa and currently a revered Elder.
Mish is a prostate cancer survivor serving the world by building a unique global community for former prostate owners and their loved ones. Mish’s 2019 diagnosis of prostate cancer was followed by a radical prostatectomy that rocked the core of his manhood. He found no prostate cancer centres for men, little useful information online, and lots of reluctance to talk about issues like erectile dysfunction. He felt lonely and saw an opportunity for the radical openness and mutual support pioneered by MKP. So Mish launched the “Recovering Man” website telling his own story candidly, week by week, and gathering stories of other men and their partners at www.recoveringman.net. He created a global support group meeting live online for men of all sexual orientations to talk deeply and openly about personal prostate cancer and sexual health experiences. The number of enthusiastic and thankful participants grows every month. The next step will be to train facilitators to create local support groups across the world.
Jeff Kidman
Kidape
USA • New England Area
Jeff Kidman
“I create the space where others can experience the love and healing that is waiting for them so they can realize their own potential, especially young men.”
Jeff Kidman was initiated into Men’s work in 1994 and has been involved in Men’s circles and volunteer leadership since then. Jeff has been working with Boys to Men USA/Mentoring to Manhood New England since 2008. During the summer of 2004 he had a revelation that more needs to be done in providing initiation for our boys. Men have been initiating other men but initiation was and is meant for the young, to bring them into a path toward mature manhood. Jeff had been reading and working on how to accomplish this locally when Boys to Men New England was founded by Dave Bolduc and John Cummings. He was there at the first Boys Adventure Weekend in New England in 2008 and has been working with them in various capacities ever since, including as event leader for many weekend events and as Executive Director. In October of 2016 Jeff was able to represent BTMNE with other local centers at the national Boys to Men summit where a national non-profit was formed to support and grow this work nationally.
Daniel Scruggs
Compassionate Turtle
USA • Greater Carolinas
Daniel Scruggs
“I share musical instruments and culture to educate, inspire and unite.”
Daniel Scruggs uses his gifts as a professional musician, world traveler and cultural educator to educate, inspire and unite. He has shared his PEACE CULTURE MUSIC program in pre-schools, grade schools, colleges, hospitals, retirement communities, with students with special needs and learning disabilities, refugees from war torn countries, on two Native American reservations and with hundreds of educators and thousands of children throughout seven countries. Daniel has collaborated with humanitarian organizations in the developing world and volunteers in high-risk, underserved communities in the USA to offer free cultural education programs, produce concerts and build resource centers equipped with hi-quality instruments and free music lessons. Daniel’s goal is to show up as the teacher he wished he had as a child; safe, caring, compassionate, accountable, and fun. The PEACE CULTURE MUSIC program features over 150 musical instruments from six continents, shared interactively, with emphasis on the universal importance of story, tradition, language, geographical literacy and peace.
Daniel uses his love and passion for music and culture to bring people together. He is committed to using these gifts to uplift and connect people from all ages and backgrounds.
Daniel Scruggs is a world citizen, professional musician and experienced educator who is on a mission to educate, inspire and unite. He has traveled extensively throughout our world as a student and educator of human cultures and global music making traditions. He created the interactive enrichment program PEACE CULTURE MUSIC to share these experiences, increase intercultural understanding and promote peace.
David Amelio
Sacred Mountain Lion with Open-Heart
USA • Philadelphia
David Amelio
“I Co-create a world of love by embracing the sacred man, healing the human condition through initiation, awareness and teaching others to open up to the full potential of their divine being.”
For the past 27 years I have been enrolled in men’s work, both inside MKP and outside MKP. I have worked from inside prison walls and worked with men’s groups to better support their circles and to deepen their work. I provide teaching and process work to men’s groups. I am currently working with white men about their privilege in the system, holding men where they are regarding race. I work at looking at my own background and history around black and white, outing my internal racism and helping others to talk about race in a safe place.
Ari Yahrok
Bad Ass Blood Wolf
USA • SouthWest
Ari Yahrok
“I am the one who creates intimacy by embracing vulnerability in myself and others.”
Ari creates safe spaces to heal. He does this through drumming and gardening. Ari volunteers with special needs preschoolers, many whom don’t yet have the language to talk about their feelings. Most of these children are emotionally traumatized. Ari is on Disability for a Traumatic Brain Injury. 15 years ago he could not speak, read, or write. He started to rehabilitate himself by making and playing drums. He soon found out drumming is a method of communication more versatile and universal than language. Ari reached out to the community at large offering drum building classes and gifting drums for personal and ceremonial use. When he is not making drums he has his hands in the dirt. Ari maintains a vegetable garden for 48 households. He also trains others to build gardens in their own backyards. He does this in collaboration with the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank. Ari is a Mentor and Elder in the Tucson Transgender Community. He is an active contributor to Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, speaking and educating the Greater Tucson Community.
Dan Erickson
White Eagle
Canada • Alberta
Dan Erickson
“I create a world of harmony and peace through service and compassion.”
Dan volunteers at the Health Science Centre supporting staff. He also supports the National Microbiology Laboratory Wellness committee. He just finished an End-of-Life Doula program and will be volunteering service for terminal clients. Dan holds kingly energy through his amazing patience and gift of giving. He takes great pleasure supporting, learning and helping his Autistic grandson. His generosity is angelic as he always thinks of others before himself and gives not only of his time but helps those in need financially whenever he can. His eldership is such a gift through patience and a true understanding that all people matter. His lover energy is so beautiful as he not only takes care of family at a drop of a dime, but he lends his healings gift to many suffering from minor aches and pains to deep trauma and deadly cancer through Pranic healing and genuine deep caring. His magician comes to play when dealing with complex situations in family and career. The nominator truly believes Dan is a gift from above, doing amazing things and living his mission and it will be a blessing to have him collect this award. Deep love and admiration for a truly gifted man.
Richard Torres
USA • South Central Area
Richard Torres
“I co-create a world of love, compassion and justice by being open, honest and fair.”
Richard Torres spent years in the culinary field, serving others as a caterer and chef. During his tenure as head of the Houston community, he began a course of study to become a mid-school/high school teacher. He completed his studies and was awarded a teaching certificate. For several years, Richard has been involved on many levels with Land Of My Grandfathers (LOMG), a non-profit organization serving groups of men and women in their pursuit of spiritual and personal growth. Richard has done extensive service work at LOMG for the past 10 years, such as: served as board chairman for 3 years, coordinated all maintenance, repairs, and landscaping (even buying a tractor using his own money), raised funds for special projects and events. In 2021, he led the $190,000 improvement project and took over (and learned from the ground up) the role of LOMG treasurer after the passing of Jerry England. He also provided community service work at the Houston Convention Center for several days in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Harvey flooding in Houston (August 2017). Richard is currently a certified Co-leader in MKP International and up until the end of 2021, served as MKP USA Operations Circle Lead.
Scott MacRae, MD
Golden Eagle
USA • Upstate New York
Scott MacRae, MD
“I embrace my healing and feelings, giving myself and others with love.”
I am a physician and surgeon who lost my father at an early age. This launched me into a life of self discovery culminating with my New Warrior Training almost 30 years ago in San Diego. That weekend changed my view of life and men. I returned to Portland, Oregon and eventually myself and 4 other men came together to help start New Warrior Northwest serving at that time men from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC. In 2,000, I moved to Rochester and was quickly taken into the Bull by the Horn Men’s I Group who embraced me into their brotherhood. I’ve used my training to teach other young medical professionals. As a passionate bicyclist and health nut, I’ve dedicated my time to making our streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians and served as the President of the Rochester Cycling Alliance working with the mayor and county exec. For every effort I’ve put into our community, I’ve been repaid tenfold by the generosity and wisdom of The Mankind Project and the people of Rochester.
Justin VanBuskirk
Trusting Tiger
USA • Mid America Area, Central Great Lakes
Justin VanBuskirk
“I co-create a safe environment for myself and others to authentically heal, express and thrive.”
Justin has been living his mission by focusing his efforts on helping others take care of their overall health, and helping victims in crisis, particularly after storms in December 2021 in the Midwest USA. Activities Justin has been involved in to live his Mission… Justin has undertaken considerable training over the past 2 years through the CHEK Institute to increase his skills and certification as a holistic healer. Soon after his most recent training session, he volunteered to help staff a wellness / empowerment training where he contributed significantly from his MKP background. He has personally invited well over a dozen men as guests to our Soaring Men I-Group, several of whom have become long-standing members. He has been an active member in two local I-Groups in West Michigan; the Soaring Men of Grand Rapids as well as the Men of Laughing Waters of Kalamazoo. He partnered with another man in Cleveland to launch a Young Warriors virtual I-Group that meets 2x / month, with members from multiple states. This year he took the on-line IGFT training. He also attended Facilitation Skills workshops offered by our group both in-person and on-line, as well as Carpet Workshops; where he has consistently stepped up to practice / strengthen his facilitation skills. Finally, on his way back from a road trip to the western states, Justin simply decided to plan a course back home via Mayfield, KY which was one of the worst devastated communities hit by a recent tornado. Justin is contributing both his considerable mechanical / construction skills to help the recovery there, as well as his compassionate support for the people there who are in need. Both the Soaring Men and Men of Laughing Waters contributed $500 each to support Justin in his efforts.
Jay Kassirer
Sensuous Monk
Canada • Ontario
Jay Kassirer
“I co-create a sustainable world by loving and empowering myself and others.”
For 25 years, Jay has trained and supported governments, NGOs and business leaders worldwide to plan and evaluate programs that empower people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. He publishes the largest collection of publicly available full-length case studies of such programs and manages three peer review panels that designate best-in-class ones. He helped found the field’s professional associations (ISMA/SMANA) and is a reviewer for its main journal (SMQ.) He first led personal empowerment trainings (“Experience Weeks”) in the early 80’s while on staff at the Findhorn Foundation, Scotland. Jay has supported and empowered people worldwide to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Jay was born in Ottawa, where he currently lives with his wife Rita. He has five children/step-children. Jay enjoys harmonizing and playing guitar and performs with Rita at a weekly Open Stage.
Rob Sötemann
Joyful Hog with Gold Heart
USA • Wisconsin
Rob Sötemann
“I create a world of Love and Compassion by loving myself unconditionally and supporting everybody to his fullest potential.”
Sötemann was born in Amsterdam in The Netherlands on September 2nd, 1948. He got deeply involved with men’s work in 1985. He moved with his family to the US in 2000 on a search for inner peace. As so many, he found the source within himself. Rob got involved with the ManKind Project in the fall of 2015. After his NWTA he staffed several weekends until covid stopped the weekends from happening. He occupied the Wisconsin Elder Chair from March 2019 until September 2021. Since the spring of 2016 Rob got involved with prison work through the TRUTH Project. He staffed around a dozen weekends in Oshkosh and Racine. As soon as the Racine Correctional Institute was opened up after covid, Rob has been driving weekly 225 miles up and down every Wednesday from Lake Delton to Racine to be available for men inside. After assisting a friend on her final journey in October 2016 Rob has been a Hospice volunteer and a close companion to several of his friends in their final stretch.
Murray “Cappy” Caplan
Golden Blessing Eagle
USA • Colorado
Murray “Cappy” Caplan
“I co-create a world of love and acceptance by loving and accepting myself.”
I was very lucky at a very young age to have parents who accepted me just the way I was and modeled a joyful life reached through a love of learning. There really wasn’t an “”OTHER”” in their conversations with me. So, it was very natural for me to go into pediatrics because teaching children, adolescents, and their parents my “Mission Statement” was a joyful experience. One of my children noticed how much fun I was having, and she was upset with me when she found out I got paid for my services. I spent 4 years in the Indian health service practicing pediatrics with the different tribes of Oklahoma. There were no reservations there and it was amazing to see Native Americans accepting the beautiful parts of our culture–but not giving up their own. I have also worked with the Sioux of South Dakota the Navajo of New Mexico, and the Apache of Arizona— they have given me a tremendous appreciation of the land–after time with them I realize how many things are more important than money (not just the land, but friendships, family, and giving back). Today, I practice at child and adolescent psychiatry helping my patients ages 4 to 30yrs of age who have spent years living on the streets with their mental health issues and the trauma they’ve suffered in their lives. Our goals for these patients are very simple–give them the tools to find a job, a home in which to live, and a new opportunity to trust people for the first time in their lives. I initiated in 1994 and I have staffed 25 weekends–my daughter told me I had 2 families–my family, and my patients–and she was glad to be in one of them. My wife would tell you I have 3 families–my family, my patients, and my “MKP Warrior Brothers”. Thankfully, for me, she too is glad to be in one of them.
Simon Larouche
Lion Engagé
Canada • Québec
Simon Larouche
“Je cocrée un monde de jeu de joie et de collaboration en connectant le Vivant.”
Créateur, fondateur et propriétaire du Centre de l’Hêtre un centre de ressourcement en pleine nature jumelé à un projet d’éco-communauté. Le volet éco-communauté a été inspiré en partie des enseignements de Bill Kauth et sa femme Zoe Alowan. Simon est coach professionnel certifié et fondateur de SYMA coaching, une école de coaching professionnel qui vise à créer une humanité florissante en connexion avec le Vivant. Simon anime et participe à des cercles d’Homme depuis plus de 17 ans. Il est cocréateur du cercle à Lac-Beauport avec Martin Legault et Jean-Philippe Ruette. Passionné du développement humain, depuis plus de 20 ans, Simon accompagne chaque individu et entreprise, à travers un processus transformationnel durable.
SUN KINGS I-GROUP
Geoff Potts , Kevin Danaher, Peter Weiler, Michael Barickman and Chaz Harrington
USA Florida
SUN KINGS I-GROUP
These five MKP brothers live their mission and have truly demonstrated how “we can be the change we want to see in the world.”
The five men of the SunKings I-Group for creating a safe space for non-MKP involved men to meet online during the time of Covid isolation. The group came together as the Pandemic took hold in March 2020. Using social media tools such as Facebook and Meetup, the Kings have touched the lives of over 90 non-MKP men. Many leave the monthly sessions with a SMART Goal “stretch” to move forward in life. Some men have become permanent members of SunKings, others have gone on to take MKP online trainings and join the National Men’s Circle. The Florida MPK men that facilitate these weekly groups are: Geoff Potts [Lumbering Bear], Kevin Danaher [Loving Lion], Peter Weiler [Sleeping Badger], Michael Barickman [Leopard OATSS] and Chaz Harrington [Red Monarch].
Axel Dobernowsky
Tanzender Puma
Germany
Axel Dobernowsky
“Here and now I encourage men and women to show their talents by living mine.”
Axel died a serious car accident last year. He was a loving father and leaves behind two sons and a partner. He did a lot for the Community in MKP, always providing emotional and uplifting support to many men. But also financially he gave many men the possibility to go their way. He was a true friend. Always kind words on his lips. For years he was the man who stored and maintained the MKP material. He drove it to every NWTA. In Germany as well as Switzerland and the Nordic Community in Sweden. He was part of building the Nordic Community. We will never forget Axel.
In memory of Axel Dobernowsky – Dancing Puma
Award Ceremony Video
Award Ceremony Video
Steve “Smytty” Smyth
Red Eagle Wolf
USA • Colorado, Denver
Steve “Smytty” Smyth
“I co-create a world of Love, Serenity and Healing by doing what I’m called to do.”
Steve “Smytty” Smyth is an active member in many volunteer organizations dedicated to the safety of children, helping families in need, and supporting addiction recovery.
Smytty chairs 12 Step Meetings for inmates at the Arapahoe County Jail, and volunteers with the Third Way Center assisting teens in crisis. He facilitates talking circles through The Courage to Change Addiction Medicine Rehab program and is currently sponsoring 3 men. Smytty is an active member of Guys Who Give and assists weekly in the Watchdog a program—enhancing security in public elementary school programs. Every Christmas he sponsors a family and provides gifts for the single mothers and their children.
Smytty initiated in 2004, is an LKS Leadman and Ritual Elder, and has staffed 61 NWTAs.
Paul Newell
The Meecuna Fox Moon
USA • Metro New York TriState
Paul Newell
“I co-create a world of freedom and expression by being powerfully authentic and in service to self and others.”
Paul is an advocate and guide for wholistic health and the well-being of men by crafting curated regimens and habits that support men in physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Paul has been a men’s work online facilitator for the past three years, and has recently co-created The King’s College for Black Men, a space for black men to learn and grow in mind, body, and spirit to combat systemic racism.
He works with mentorship groups and hosts a podcast called “Men Talk About.” Paul also is an advocate for fathers’ rights by helping fathers address their shadows and traumas to be the best version of themselves and enhance how they show up in relationships with their spouse/co-parent and with their children.
Aron Halevi
Easy Tiger
South Africa • Cape Tow
Aron Halevi
“I create a connected, vibrant and integrated world by listening with care and using my creativity and courage to heal myself and the world around me.”
Aron Halevi is a social innovator living near Cape Town, South Africa. In August 2019, a 19-year-old student was murdered. 16 days later, Aron led the #99949 campaign (Nelson Mandela’s prison number was #44464), calling men to stand up and so no to gender based violence. Over 100,000 men stood in silence at 9am on the 9th day of the 9th month 4/for 9 minutes – a call to action, to be seen, show outrage, stand with other men, and bring men into the solution of Gender Based Violence (GBV). Aron’s other notable social change work includes a project with an ex-convict, gangster and drug dealer, Larry Joe. Combining music, film and social media, Aron collaborated with Joe, recording an album in his prison cell, and conducting interactive workshops with over 100,000 high school students around South Africa and the theme of “Changing the World One Man at a Time.”
David Vail
Red Stone
USA • Upstate New York
David Vail
“My mission is to create a world of sustainable abundance by showing up, paying attention, and telling the truth.”
David Vail volunteers at the Villa of Hope working in rehabilitation for young people struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. He has taken the gift of sobriety to these people by bringing a Tuesday AA meeting to the facility. Seeing the spark of a young person who wants more of what is on the other side of addiction drives Dave to continue to serve.
He has introduced many young folks to the sacred ceremony of the Lodge. In this way Dave has provided space for these individuals to connect to a deeper part of themselves during their rehabilitation experience.
David has been a member of MKP since 2009 and an LKS Leadman since 2016.
Royston John
Conscious Lion
UK & IRELAND • London
Royston John
“I create a world of people who love each other and care for tomorrow’s children, by sharing my love and abundant joy with humanity.”
Royston John is a man living his mission out there in the world. Royston was inspired to set up the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) in London over 20 years ago, after having experienced first-hand their life-enhancing Diversity, Inclusion and Equality work through the NCBI UK Road show. Over the last 20 years Royston has led (and trained many others to lead) groups of men and women from all walks of life through a range of NCBI experiential workshops and trainings. As a Black man, Royston has consistently taken the many hits that have come his way when the topics of Diversity, Inclusion and Equality are discussed in ethnically diverse groupings, yet his love and abundant joy continue to shine through undimmed.
Genesis Young
Koholā Singing for the Planet
USA • Hawaii
Genesis Young
“I create a world of truth and love by being authentic.”
Genesis and his wife, Sulara James, started the nonprofit Teran James Young Foundation (TJYF),which is dedicated to creating peace in the world. Designed around Nonviolent Communication and trauma-informed care, TJYF works with local schools to help them adopt principles of restorative healing In coordination with various governmental agencies, TJYF is working to open a much needed youth shelter in Maui. Genesis leads a weekly community NVC mediation and Restorative Justice circle, a weekly Practicing Peace group, and runs a weekly youth mentoring group. He is working with the Hawaii legislature to mandate that Restorative Justice be offered to all people in Hawaii, and is the Chair of the Maui County Committee for Sustainable Tourism. Genesis is a certified Shadow Work Coach, does shamanic work, and has for many years hosted his 25 member I-group, the Kīhei Kings.
Navid Modiri
Loving Lion
Nordic
Navid Modiri
“I create a world of truth and love by being authentic.”
Engaged in men’s work since 2013, Navid launched a virtual support programme in 2020 for Swedish men – Supportive Brother (SB). SB is motivated by a desire to have a positive effect on men’s mental health by providing a supportive forum in which isolation is broken and development supported. About 500 men have taken part in SB meetings, and roughly 250 men are members of a Facebook group. SB is now also offering free training sessions for men who want to lead more men’s groups as well as supporting the growth of member-led special interest groups.
Navid also mentors three upper secondary students who have started a Supportive Brother programme for their own age group. He initiated the award of Swedish Men of the Year, International Man’s day.
Corey Lee
Playful Deer
Canada • Alberta
Corey Lee
“I create a loving world of peace by serving myself first, those I love and others.”
For many years Corey has been an active force in keeping people connected through numerous communities, by organizing and hosting shared dinners, barbecues and other events. Corey is a long-term volunteer of the Marian Centre, an inner-city organization that feeds the homeless and the less fortunate. Besides doing regular shifts in a soup kitchen in the Edmonton inner city, Corey has actively recruited new volunteers and has promoted local restaurants that give away food to those in need.
For a long time, Corey has volunteered for a suicide hotline and has trained others in suicide prevention. Corey is a man who drops everything to help out people in the communityand who truly lives his mission by keeping his many communities connected and serving his family and friends and especially the less fortunate in our society.
Martin Rivard
Humble Jaguar
Canada • Québec
Martin Rivard
“I create a world of love and connection while being connected and expressing love with all that surrounds me.”
Martin is involved in several ManKind Project committees, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the “Portal of Abundance” in his hometown. This portal helps members of his community offer each other mutual aid and shares inspirational and sacred teachings. Martin is always available for his brothers, to help by his presence and also by giving his time and energy. Martin is very connected to nature and is sensitive to what She can say to him. Martin creates a world of love by being present from the heart.
Jet Teisberg
Withheld per request of Jet
USA • Central Plains
Jet Teisberg
“To awaken people to see and accept their shadows.”
After recovering from cancer, John created “The Reluctant Brotherhood,” a weekly support call for men all over the counter who are recovering from cancer.
John has also been involved for ten years in “Beepball,” a competitive form of softball for non-sighted people. As an outfield “spotter,” John calls out “quadrant instructions” to the coed fielders when a ball is headed their way.
John has been active in the Minnesota Men’s Center since its inception in the early 80’s, and served as an early chair for 5 years. Their space has been critical for many men’s organizations in the Twin Cities, dealing with issues ranging from divorce to LGBT.
Doug Stern
Hawk Inside the Belly of a Beast
USA • Midwest, Kentucky
Doug Stern
“My mission is to create a free and happy world by being free and happy.”
Doug went to his usual 12-step meeting June 2, 2020, read Step 1 aloud, and had an epiphany about racial healing. He realized that he could somehow work a program of recovery toward racial transformation for himself…and, perhaps, for others. June 2 was a low point for Louisville, KY as it was being convulsed by violent white supremacy.That’s when he stepped up and formed a 12-step study group for local Louisville folks. The Group discovered and used Racists Anonymous (rainternational.org), a recovery program modeled after AA. The Group finished the step study after 16 weeks, decided to stay together, and opened the meeting to others. Since summer, Louisville Meeting #1 (7:55 am ET, Wednesdays) has been a space for others in the U.S., Canada and abroad…seeking to uproot racist thoughts and behaviors in themselves. In addition to his anti-racism work in Louisville, Doug has served RA’s organizational leadership in getting the word out and offering hope to people internationally.
Philippe Wanufel
Grizzly Apaisé
Belgium
Philippe Wanufel
“I am on the way to a fairer and more united world thanks to my facetious clown, my available quiet strength and my generous and unifying character.”
Since his retirement, Philippe has devoted himself to two organizations driven by heart values. The first is Hôpi-Clown, which bring clown activities to pediatric hospitals. Philippe becomes “Bill” with the red nose. Armed with his magic suitcase, his balloons to be sculpted, his magic tricks, his stories and songs, he travels room to room bringing happiness to sick children and their families.
The second is Altéo, an organization that allows differently-abled people to go on vacation in total safety. Several times a year, Philippe accompanies disabled people for a week, when bonds forged between the volunteer and his “holidaymaker” become life-long. Philippe reports that exchanges of eye contact and soul between him and those he’s supporting are comparable in intensity to those exchanged during an NWTA.
Bharataji Anthony Joplin
Healing Panther with Dragon Spirit
USA • Chicago
Bharataji Anthony Joplin
“I heal the world by uncovering the divinity in myself and others.”
Bharataji Joplin has been on a 25-year mission to help people discover the Divine in themselves and see it in those around them. He says “…uncovering your divinity is about realizing that there is something worth pursuing in life bigger than self.”
He’s in charge of counselor training for Youth Guidance’s Becoming a Man program, which supports young men from Chicago and other cities to develop skills to achieve a better life. His work with the Metropolitan Peace Academy focuses on building community-level capacity to reduce violence through positive interventions and training. He’s also been involved with the Inside Circle Foundation, which provides support and healing for incarcerated and formerly-incarcerated people. He was one of the featured facilitators in the Netflix film, “The Work (2017).”
Bharataji Joplin was initiated in February 1997 in Chicago, and certified as Full Leader in 2006.