A 4-part documentary series on the Brotherhood of Elders Network.
Some seeds aren't planted for us. They're planted for who comes next.
Founded in Oakland in 2011, the Brotherhood of Elders Network has spent over a decade holding space for Black men and boys to define manhood on their own terms. Seed People traces that work across four episodes — from the organization's roots, through what presence and embodiment look like in practice, into the inherited memory of land, and finally to what's being planted for generations not yet born. Blending intimate testimony with the metaphor of the seed — patient, hidden, generational — the series asks what it means to do work you may not live to see finished, and to trust that it grows anyway. The docuseries highlights how elders, organizers, fathers, artists, educators, and young people have built a lasting network around cultural connection, shared responsibility, healing and Black self-determination.
Join us for our public premiere and panel on Thursday, November 19, 6:30-9:30pm at Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, Holland Theater in Lisser Hall.
The event will kick off with opening libations and fellowship before the docuseries premiere begins at 7pm. Following the screening, we’ll have brief remarks from the Co-Directors, a youth panel, and an elders panel to explore themes from the episodes.
In October 2026, Episode 1 of Seed People premiered at the Oakland International Film Festival.
Seed People is produced by Telescopic Media and Game Changers Films, powered by Forward Ever Media.
Executive Producers: Arnold Perkins, Joe Brooks, Greg Hodge, and Cheo Tyehimba Taylor.
Co-Directors: Khepera Batties and Cheo Tyehimba Taylor.
Producers: Spencer Whitney and Khepera Batties.
Director of Photography: Khepera Batties.
Camera Operators: Shaka Jamal, Wallah Umoja, Chris Darby, and Khepera Batties.
Film Editor: Khepera Batties
Series Editor: Jessica Jones
Series Producer: Cheo Tyehimba Taylor
Animation Design & AI Architect: Joaquin E. Jutt
Music: Original Traditional West African songs and rhythms performed by Mosheh Milon & The Bantaba Dance Ensemble and Drummers
Cultural Consultants: Kweli Tutashinda, Jason Seals, Chris Darby, Bankh Akitunde, Mosheh Milon
Dedicated in memory of Joe Brooks.
