How do you tell a compelling story about racism, injustice, or social change without making your audience feel like they're listening to a sermon? What separates a story that moves people from one that overwhelms them with its message? And how do you build a creative career telling these stories when there isn't an obvious path forward?
In this episode of The Justice Briefing, historian, author, and filmmaker Dr. Jemar Tisby sits down with award-winning writer and director Nick Brooks, director of the new narrative short film What Will We Tell Them.
Brooks is the author of Promise Boys, Up in Smoke, and the Ethan Fairmont trilogy. His creative career has taken him from teaching and writing children's books to filmmaking, music, and video game writing.
Their conversation explores the craft of storytelling, the relationship between social justice and art, the importance of representation, and the persistence required to create opportunities.
In This Episode, You'll Learn
- Why justice-centered stories can become preachy.
- How to build a story around characters.
- Brooks's three ingredients for a strong story.
- Why trusting your audience matters.
- How lived experience shapes creative work.
- How to pursue opportunities before you feel fully qualified.
- How to move from inspiration to a finished film.
- What went into making What Will We Tell Them.
About Nick Brooks
Nick Brooks is an award-winning author, director, and musician whose work spans young adult and middle-grade fiction, film, and music. His writing explores the lives of young people navigating institutions, expectations, and systems of inequality.
Learn more about Nick: thenickbrooks.com
What Will We Tell Them
Learn more about the film "What Will We Tell Them" by subscribing for updates at: jemartisby.substack.com
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome and *What Will We Tell Them* screening announcement
01:45 — Meet Nick Brooks: author, filmmaker, and creative artist
04:47 — Telling stories about justice without preaching
08:30 — Hook, heart, and theme: how Brooks develops stories
11:19 — The influence of hip-hop, books, and Black storytelling
14:47 — How to nurture social awareness in young people
18:20 — Howard University, mentorship, and discovering education
24:09 — Writing children's books and finding a creative purpose
29:15 — Creating opportunities and getting a literary agent
33:56 — Taking risks, handling rejection, and writing for GTA VI
38:15 — How children's books opened doors to a new career
41:11 — *Fruitvale Station*, Ryan Coogler, and becoming a filmmaker
45:30 — Learning filmmaking by getting onto film sets
48:13 — Mistakes to avoid when telling stories about injustice
50:44 — The story behind *What Will We Tell Them*
54:21 — Filmmaking challenges, preparation, and adapting on set
57:29 — Private screening details and ways to support the film
Stay Connected
Subscribe to "Footnotes" for historically grounded analysis, commentary about faith and justice, and updates on new films and educational projects: jemartisby.substack.com
Instagram: @JemarTisby
