THE NEGRO ARTIST
A DOCUMENTARY FILM DIRECTED BY NIK HEFTMAN
PRODUCED BY THE SEVEN TIMES
"...COMPELLING....”
- JULIE HINDS, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
"...profound and powerful and heartbreaking yet inspiring."
- PAMELA WALLACE, OSCAR-WINNING SCREENWRITER
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Amidst the often-overlooked spaces of the Midwest, lives a Black voice that demands to be heard. "The Negro Artist" is a documentary film that explores the life and work of Caleb Rainey, professionally known as The Negro Artist. Rainey is a Black spoken word poet whose powerful voice confronts race, identity, and systemic inequality. His stage name is inspired by the Langston Hughes essay "The Negro artist and the Racial Mountain." Through his story, the film reveals poetry’s transformative power and its role in envisioning justice and understanding.
REVIEWS/MEDIA
Detroit Public Library to host free screening of compelling documentary 'The Negro Artist'
Spoken word artist and community builder is now a documentary subject
‘The Negro Artist’ is a celebration of Blackness and the creative arts
“The Negro Artist”: poet hosts documentary screening at Drake
New film introduces an Iowa treasure who tells tough truths through his poems
NIK HEFTMAN, CALEB RAINEY - Nov 2024 Documentary The Negro Artist
Documentary on Poetry and Resilience Premieres at Detroit Library
IMPACT CAMPAIGN
Made possible through nonprofit sponsorship from Creative Visions
CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS
1
Oscar-Qualifying Festival
7
Awards Won
6
States
23
Cities
10
Festivals
32
Screenings
Award Categories: Best Direction · Best Editing · Outstanding Independent Film · Best in the Midwest
Venues: Local Theaters | Libraries | Universities | Community Centers | Museums | High Schools
The Negro Artist Film Experience Impact Campaign
More Than a Film – A Transformative Experience
The Negro Artist Film Experience includes:
Live spoken-word performances from Caleb Rainey and other featured poets.
A captivating screening of The Negro Artist documentary film.
A Q&A moderated by award-winning journalist Douglas Burns. Audiences can engage in insightful discussion with Director Nik Heftman and Poet Caleb Rainey.
A storytelling workshop conducted by Caleb Rainey, Nik Heftman, and additional featured artists.
Our goal is to bring this transformative live experience to high schools, local theaters, correctional facilities, and arts programs across the United States—igniting dialogue, inspiring entrepreneurs, and championing the impact of Black creative voices.
THE NEGRO ARTIST
DATES AND TICKETING
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Bay University
February 5, 2026 · 12-2 PM
Cedar Rapids, IA
Coe College
February 25, 2026 · 7-9 PM
ABOUT THE SEVEN TIMES
The Seven Times is a full-service film, video and event production company founded by Emmy Award-winning journalist, videographer and video editor Nik Heftman. Heftman founded The Seven Times in 2022 with the goal of spotlighting Black entrepreneurs across the United States. That vision evolved into a weekly docuseries highlighting Black entrepreneurs, artists and other trailblazers who are making tangible, positive impacts in their communities.
The Seven Times specializes in documentaries, corporate videos, event coverage, sporting events, and a host of other video services. Learn more about Nik and The Seven Times by visiting their website.
