The 50

The 50 men who make up the first-ever participants of the Offender Mentor Certification Program have been both victims and victimizers. Many have experienced trauma unfathomable by most in mainstream society. Some of them have been responsible for perpetuating cycles of intergenerational trauma. All have committed to the process of healing, to breaking the cycle, and to writing a new story in order to become certified drug and alcohol councilors.

During the making of this film, I’ve navigated the deaths of four family members from drug addiction. I’ve wrestled with the unknown future of my closest family member, who is currently in the throes of his addiction and in and out of jail. As my life mirrored many of the themes we unearth in the film, I went through my own arduous journey of understanding and healing. I became personally connected and invested in the work of these men.

I hold a deep belief that this film will be a catalyst for healing for its viewers. It will propel an audience that exists on all ends of political, class, and racial strata to see themselves in the stories of 'irredeemable' men.

It has been a unique privilege to work through my own process while creating this film and sharing in the journey of these healers. It is my sincere hope that this film affords the people of our country and world the same opportunity to step back, reflect, and begin their own journey.