What began in 2022 as a conversation between the Gilead Foundation and the Morehouse Center for Excellence in Education has grown into one of the most ambitious documentary projects in the institution’s history. Conceived by Dr. Nina Gilbert and developed over three years of research, multi-city production, and deep collaboration with scholars, filmmakers, and creative partners, Belonging Beyond Brown is the result of a collective effort spanning institutions, generations, and cities. From the early stages of research to production floors in Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and beyond, the film was built with intention and care at every step.

A TIMELINE OF PRODUCING BBB

2022
Gilead and the Morehouse Center for Excellence in Education connected, desiring to build programming that supports the growth, impact, and well-being of Black educators. Dr. Gilbert ideates and conceives the Belonging Beyond Brown framework and documentary outline.

2023
Dr. Gilbert conceptualized and researched the foundations of Belonging Beyond Brown, with assistance from various faculty and students at the Morehouse Center for Education.

2024
Dr. Gilbert is connected to M.I.N.G. Media Group, which would serve as the documentary’s co-directors and production team. Production for Belonging Beyond Brown starts in LaGrange, Georgia, and continues across Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and other cities. Through this multi-city tour, Dr. Gilbert and her team connected with scholars and historical pioneers such as Dr. Tracie Fenwick, Dr. Jarvis Givens, Grace Harvey, Dr. Leona Tate, and many others. In late 2024, post-production begins on the film, and the documentary first screens its initial draft at the October 2024 Black Male Educator Summit in Philadelphia. Simultaneously, the marketing communications materials and artwork start production in preparation for the official premiere and release in February 2025.

2025
Belonging Beyond Brown continues post-production updates, which include a rescore of portions of the film and the addition of spoken-word written and performed by Bernard Gilbert ’12 and a song written and performed by Rayquan Strickland ’27. Simultaneously, the key art, communications, foundational marketing materials, featurette, release campaign, and the premiere event materials and plans are in production led by Dr. Gilbert, Streamlined Media & Communications, of whom partners Darren Martin Jr. ’15 and Ahmad Barber ’13 are Morehouse Graduates, and the Morehouse Strategic Marketing and Communications team.

The documentary’s release is scheduled for Morehouse’s Founder’s Week 2025 as part of the week’s official events. Upon premiere, Belonging Beyond Brown launches a Summer of Screenings, screening in over thirteen locations throughout the year, including, but not limited to, Morehouse College, the historic Plaza Theater in Atlanta, Georgia; Corsicana, Texas; the historic Strand Theater in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, the TEP Center in New Orleans, Louisiana; and various film festivals. Most screenings include a talkback session to extend the film’s and the college’s missions and feature Morehouse supporters, alumni, and students who represent the college’s values. Many of these events become de facto recruiting events for Morehouse and the Center for Excellence in Education.

2026
Belonging Beyond Brown extends its screening and moderation tour, kicking off in January in Chicago, Illinois at Trinity United Church of Christ with Morehouse alumnus Pastor Otis Moss III ’92, before screening at the Denton Film Festival in Dallas, Texas and returning to Los Angeles for the Pan African Film Festival in February, where the documentary is an official selection and nominated for the Best First Feature Documentary award. Continuing its partnership, the film screened with additional partners, including the Knarrative/Knubia platform by SiriusXM’s Karen Hunter in March, and plans to screen at more colleges and universities, as well as at home at Morehouse College. The documentary also includes a custom discussion guide and curriculum for partners to use during screenings. BBB is also in discussions with distributors about a wide-release option to increase the film’s accessibility in a responsible way.