Sean-Josahi Brown
2026 HEAR US Awardee
Undergraduate Film & TV Class of 2027
Sean-Josahi Brown is a documentarian from Harlem, New York. He uses film to tell human-centered stories that uplift underrepresented voices and bring attention to pressing social issues through an artistic lens.
Sean-Josahi has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Kyoko Arai Fund, a gift made possible by Kyoko and Yuki Arai (NYU Stern '10, MBA), who hope to encourage diverse voices and stories in the film industry.
Project
Before Their Time is a documentary film that follows activist Iesha Sekou and her team of violence interrupters as they work to prevent gun violence in Harlem, guiding young people toward peaceful resolutions in their community. The film explores the root causes of gun and gang violence while highlighting the grassroots efforts being made to break this cycle.
Through an intimate and observational visual style, the viewer gains access to the daily work of these brave individuals who put themselves on the front lines to protect young lives and promote peace in their neighborhood. The film interweaves the personal stories of Iesha Sekou, the violence interrupters, and the youth in her mentorship program. Through their experiences, we see how deeply gun violence impacts their lives, while also witnessing how Iesha’s leadership offer hope and alternative paths forward.
Ultimately, the film serves as both a portrait of community resilience and a tribute to inner-city youth whose lives have been tragically cut short by gun violence.
