In tribute to February’s upcoming, “Black History Month” and the simultaneous celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, “American Promise” delivers a significant and haunting truth about America and its lack of ability in bringing a tighter focus on manhood, and more specifically black manhood. The self- produced, Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson, documentary covers the lives of two Brooklyn-based, African American families over a period of 13 years. Idris, who is the son of Brewster and Stephenson, and best friend, Seun both have the experience of a middle-class upbringing. “American Promise” takes on an interesting perspective as it follows Seun and Idris through, grade school puberty and eventually young men on the way to graduating from Manhattan’s Dalton School. Dalton, known for their ability to churn out selected candidates by use of a rigorous educational program, is set up especially for genius bound students, promised a delicious slice of the American pie. Our educational system’s imbalances become evident, as both young men show signs of distress, lack of interest and misunderstandings while attending Dalton. Both families values are soon tested, as Idris and Seun face the realities of cultural differences, being teenagers and eventually becoming self-sustaining adults.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, William B. Dubois and Frederick Douglas, amongst others saw the need to direct thought and attention to the development of clearer roles, for responsible community leaders. Social activist, both King and Malcolm X had sincere and honest concerns for the image, safety, and protection of young African-American men. The event proved that Dr. King’s dream is now a shared optimism by these two filmmakers.
The after panel was hosted by LA Time’s, Sandy Banks and a diverse mix of prominent community leaders, Rev. Sonja Dawson, New Mt. Calvary Missionary, Educator Dr. Christopher J. Jiminez , Pasadena City College, social activist, Dominique Di Prima, First A.M.E’s, Rev. J. Edgar Boyd and “American Promise” producers, director’s Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson. The concerned group expressed to the audience their most basic viewpoints, regarding the age-old issue of” how the education and proclamation of America’s, dark child of the sun, the black man, should be managed.
“American Promise” is the winner of 2013 Sundance Film Festival and the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award. “American Promise” is co-produced by Rada Film Group, ITVS and POV’s Diverse Voices Project. Funding of the project is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Part of American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen, made possible by CPB. Produced in association with American Documentary | POV. A co-presentation with the National Black Programming Consortium. To coincide with the POV documentary, Spiegel & Grau will publish Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life, by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson with Hilary Beard.
“American Promise” is set to air on POV, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, on Feb. 3.
More information available at: http://www.pbs.org/pov/americanpromise/trailer.php#.UttPaLSIaM8 or at: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/equity/sites/gse.upenn.edu.equity/files/publications/bmss.pdf
Black History Month is a month set aside to learn, honor, and celebrate the achievements of black men and women throughout history. Since its inception, Black History Month has always been celebrated in February. Find out how Black History Month originated, why February was chosen, and what the annual theme for Black History Month is for this year.
