The Genuine Men Project: Genuine Men Journey in Stories and Stills

As a mother of two young boys, photographer and author Nancy Bruno is spearheading a movement to address the need for positive male role models in today’s society. Bruno has launched The Genuine Men Project to celebrate everyday men who define what it means to be a person of character, strength and authenticity. The project includes a photography exhibition and book, Genuine Men: Journeys in Stories and Stills (Bridgeway Books, May 2008) which feature candid black-and-white photographs and lifedefining stories of 35 men from the community. “Men today continue to be judged by their jobs, bank accounts, cars, homes and outward appearance,” says Bruno, who holds bachelor’s degrees in historical sociology and literature/rhetoric. “Powerful role models should not be defined by material gain and physical perfection but by the way the face and live through their life experiences

The Genuine Men Project captures the essence of what it means to be a man worth emulating.

The Genuine Men Project is a traveling photography exhibition created in part by a grant from the Puffin Foundation. Genuine Men Journeys in Stories and Stills shares the life stories of thirty five men ages twelve through ninety-one brought to life through their black and white images. Our message is simple, yet powerful: It is how a man approaches his life's experiences and challenges that makes him a man of great strength and character. The Genuine Men Project has been endorsed by The American Men's Studies Association and The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

From the very beginning, The Genuine Men Project has brought art and discussion into very public forums. Redefining men's role models begins with the discussion that is fostered by our audiences experiences during and after their viewing of the images and stories of these amazing men. Working with communities, professional organizations, and college and universities our goal is to create programming incorporating our project, current topics of men's interests, courses of studies, and related popular culture topics and calendar weeks and months related to men. In May of 2008, The Genuine Men Project released a book based on the exhibit, Genuine Men, Journeys in Stories and Stills (Bridgeway Books). The book is available through local and online book retailers. Additionally, through the sale of our book, we are able to to give back to communities to support men's issues.

The Genuine Men Project extends an invitation to organizations to please contact us through our web site if they would be interested in bringing The Genuine Men Project to their community (www.thegenuinemen.com)