Keith Michael Brown: America’s Hymn

Long Gallery Harlem is pleased to present America’s Hymn, a powerful exhibition honoring the enduring legacy of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Black History Month and in the 250th year of America’s founding. On view from February 1 through March 1, the exhibition brings together a short documentary, a series of twelve original portraits, original poetry, and a curated YouTube playlist by award-winning filmmaker and visual artist Keith Michael Brown, offering a moving, multi-sensory exploration of the song’s profound cultural and historical significance.

The exhibition’s title is inspired by Congressman Jim Clyburn’s 2021 effort to recognize “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as America’s national hymn. Gallery owner Lewis Long presents the show as a reflection on a song that has served for more than a century as a source of hope, dignity, and inspiration in both calm and turbulent times.

At the heart of the exhibition is Brown’s 20-minute documentary, “A New Day Begun: The Black National Anthem,”which traces the 125-year journey of the song written by James Weldon Johnson at the turn of the 20th century. From its origins in a segregated school in Jacksonville, Florida, to its recitation at the inauguration of the nation’s first Black president and its performance on the global stage of the Super Bowl, the film illuminates how the anthem became a universal signifier of Black identity and a rallying cry for resilience across generations.

Complementing the film are twelve acrylic-on-canvas portraits inspired by the song’s lyrics and legacy, translating its emotional and historical resonance into bold visual form. The exhibition is further accompanied by original poems by poet John Lee Gaston White and a curated YouTube playlist featuring diverse renditions of the hymn, creating an immersive experience that bridges visual art, spoken word, and music.

“I’m excited to bring together my passion for art and filmmaking in a presentation inspired by a song that has been a boundless source of meaning in my life and work,” says Brown.

Screenings of the documentary will take place on the half hour during gallery hours. A special screening and reception will be held Thursday, February 19, 7–9 PM. The artist will provide gallery overviews at 2 PM on February 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22. Eventbrite registration is required.

For press inquiries, images, or interview requests, please contact info@long.gallery.

Exhibition Playlist

Artist Bio

Keith Michael Brown is an award-winning filmmaker, visual artist, and journalist whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to equity, truth-telling, and the power of storytelling to elevate underrepresented voices. His directorial debut, A New Day Begun: The Black National Anthem, and the portraits inspired by the song reflect his personal and professional ethos—one centered on illuminating the African American experience with authenticity, accuracy, and deep respect. Brown currently serves as Executive Vice President of Content for Firelight Films, the premier documentary production company focused on American history through diverse and inclusive lenses. In this role, he serves as executive producer and producer on films that challenge conventional narratives and center historically marginalized communities. With over two decades of experience across media organizations including CNN Headline News, CBS, NBC, BET, Paramount, and PBS, Brown has built a reputation as a visionary content leader and thoughtful collaborator. Also a best-selling non-fiction author, he has consistently championed stories that confront systemic injustice and celebrate cultural resilience. His integrity as a storyteller and his drive to create meaningful impact have earned him some of the industry’s highest honors, including an Academy Award and two nominations, multiple national Emmy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Peabody Awards. Across all mediums, his work is guided by a deep belief in the transformative potential of storytelling to foster empathy, justice, and social change. Brown’s career represents not only a breadth of media expertise, but a core set of values — justice, authenticity, community, and creative excellence — that consistently shape the stories he tells and the teams he builds.

Original Poetry

For the exhibition America’s Hymn, Long Gallery Harlem has commissioned original poetry by poet John Lee Gaston White. These poems are reproduced in the embedded PDF below.

Dates
February 1 through March 1, 2026
Screening and Reception: February 19, 7 – 9 PM

Location
Long Gallery Harlem
2073 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Blvd.
New York, NY 10027

Artist
Keith Michael Brown

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