Bound by brotherhood and the complex, paternal love of founder Ty Brown, the Brooklyn United marching band is at a pivotal point in their decade-long mission. Six senior members are on the cusp of fulfilling Brown’s aspirations for the Black youth of Crown Heights to explore new possibilities and instill generational change.
Director and cinematographer Stephen Mucci embedded with the band for 6 months to accurately tell the Brooklyn United story. Riding on small transit buses up and down the northeast, flying to France, and attending daily practice created the trust and connection needed to tell the nuanced story.
Intimate Storytelling
This fall will mark the culmination of 11 years of Ty Brown’s work – a group of six seniors from Crown Heights, Brooklyn and the surrounding neighborhoods will graduate high school and go off to college. It’s the fulfillment of “The Mission” Ty set off to achieve; a dream he saw for the neighborhood since his childhood. Ty runs the high energy and engaging performance drumline that has performed on some of the world’s largest stages. These highly skilled musicians have performed everywhere from halftime for the Nets to Carnegie Hall to the Met Gala, however, their biggest success is through their youth development program that saves kids from the temptations of drugs and gangs through academic support, character development, skill building and performance opportunities. Ty has transformed this program from a group of seven innercity kids into the hundred plus disciplined musicians they are today. Our documentary will follow six kids as they transition from one brotherhood to another – trading their black and white Brooklyn United garb for the royal blue of Hampton University, and the green and gold of Norfolk State. While their leaving marks the end of a significant chapter for BU, Ty Brown’s work is far from done. We will follow as he continues in his endeavor to lead and mentor the remaining BU kids as they transition from Brooklyn United’s intermediate band (MBU) into the disciplined men that perform in the traveling band (EVO).
According to the 2019 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, the six-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time undergraduate students from low-income households (measured by family income below $34,000) was 43.4%. This is significantly lower than the overall six-year graduation rate for all first-time, full-time undergraduate students, which was 62.7%. Crown Heights kids are at constant risk of not finishing the mission because they cannot afford to manage university band practice, studies, finances, and self care. Securing recurring college scholarship grants specifically for BU band members through our partners such as the D’Addario foundation will help to alleviate the additional pressures low-income students are facing.
We are also looking to partner with Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting foundation focused on ending cyclical poverty by supporting community organizations. We are currently learning from Robin Hood about additional ways that LOCKED IN can positively and sustainably impact BU members.
