The Good Men Project was founded in 2009 by Charlotte Startin and Jessica Sakey as a way to allow men to tell stories about the defining moments in their lives. The hope was to spark a “national conversation” around the question of “What does it mean to be a good man?”
Books and films
The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood is a collection of 31 essays written by a broad range of contributors including not just well-known writers, but also a former Sing Sing inmate, a father of five watching his wife die from cancer, a soldier just back from Iraq, and a host of ordinary men willing to share their everyday struggles to define themselves as men in the twenty-first century. Notable contributors include rock critic Steve Almond, former New England Patriot Linebacker and NFL Hall of FamerAndre Tippett, and Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie LeDuff. The film of the same title is directed and produced by Matt Gannon, maker of the feature documentary In the Crease and co-producer of the Oscar-nominated Girl with a Pearl Earring. The film presents the stories of ten men from varied backgrounds who share the moments in their lives that made them who they are. The Good Men Project launched as an online publishing site and social platform on June 1, 2010. Ms. magazine gave a favourable review, stating that it "... will make you rethink the idea of a men’s magazine. Recommend it...to anyone who wants to read stories about people coming to terms with what enlightened masculinity might look like in the 21st century.” On July 9, 2013 The Atlantic Wire promoted The Good Men Project as an alternative to the dying breed of lad mags. The Good Men Project is run by CEO and publisher Lisa Hickey, together with a small executive team including: Executive Editors Wilhelm Cortez, Lisa M. Blacker, and Kara Post-Kennedy. Christa McDermott is Managing Editor and Partnership Director. Michael Kasdan is Director of Special Projects.
Nonprofit foundation
The Good Men Foundation was a registered New York State non-profit charitable corporation dedicated to helping organizations that provide educational, social, financial, and legal support to men and boys at risk. Tom Matlack and his business partner, James Houghton, began The Good Men Foundation with two objectives, help at-risk boys by contributing money to proven non-profits, and to initiate a broad discussion on what it means to be a good man.
Good Men Media, Inc.
The for-profit arm of the Good Men Project, Good Men Media, Inc., was founded in March 2010 by Lisa Hickey, an advertising veteran and social media consultant. Hickey is also the CEO. Good Men Media is responsible for publishing the online content site The Good Men Project and is also developing book, film and technological applications that all focus on men’s issues. In November 2010, Good Men Media received a round of angel funding worth $500,000. The company plans to use the funding to expand distribution of men's related content and to support revenue growth. Investors in Good Men Media include project founder Tom Matlack and private angel investors Grant Gund, managing partner of Coppermine Capital; Jack Roberts, CEO and president of Consert Inc.; Mike Jackson, former partner at Lehman Brothers and founding partner of Ironwood and Housatonic Partners; and Michael Margolis, founder of the investment management firm Maric LS, LLC, and others. Ken Goldstein is a member of the Board of Directors. The Good Men Project shares content with The Shriver Report, XOJane and Salon.
