The Negro Artist Experience's Fundraiser
We will inspire change through poetry and film
Donate to uplift underrepresented communities and inspire the next generation of creatives
Join us in elevating underrepresented communities through art. Together, we can create tangible change in the lives of others.
This page supports The Seven Times LLC, a Black-owned, mission-driven film and video production company founded by Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Nik Heftman. Learn more about our company here.
Donate to the Negro Artist Film Experience.
Amidst the often-overlooked spaces of the Midwest, lives a Black voice that demands to be heard. This documentary is a journey into the world of Caleb Rainey, a Black spoken word poet professionally known as The Negro Artist. Rainey's poetry is a profound exploration of race, identity, and the lived realities of systemic inequality. His stage name is inspired by the Langston Hughes essay "The Negro artist and the Racial Mountain." Hughes was an early influence for Rainey as he came into his own as an artist.
Our film seeks to capture the essence of Rainey not just as an artist, but as a vital voice in the ongoing dialogue about race in America. However, The Negro Artist Experience extends beyond the screen. The experience includes poetry performances, and a storytelling workshop, immersing audiences in Caleb Rainey’s powerful journey as a poet. Rainey, joined by other poets, delivers live performances, bringing the energy of spoken word to life. Following the screening and performances, audiences can engage in an interactive Q&A with the director, Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Nik Heftman, and Rainey, exploring their personal and artistic journeys in depth. The experience culminates in a storytelling workshop.
Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey
This unique event invites high school students, arts communities, creatives, journalists, and storytellers of all genres to explore the power of storytelling and the resilience in Rainey’s story. Your donation will help us reach more underserved populations and young creatives across the united states. Together, we can unite communities and inspire hope.
Every contribution brings us closer to a socially just world. Join us in creating tangible change!
About the Director
Nik Heftman is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. He produced stories for CBS Mornings in New York City and Los Angeles for more than five years, helping the show earn an Emmy for Outstanding Live News Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications, with a designated area of concentration in international studies, from Iowa State University. He is currently on the advisory board of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
While at Iowa State, Heftman worked for several local newspapers. His reporting earned him a Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding breaking news reporting. He also received an award from the Iowa Associated Press for a feature he co-wrote on South Sudanese refugees living in rural Iowa. He later was nominated for an SPJ Mark of Excellence Award for feature writing.
Heftman’s dedication to reporting on diversity and inclusion issues earned him the honor of speaking at public forums about the topic, including the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) - a comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at Iowa State University and beyond.
Before graduating from Iowa State in 2017, Heftman hosted a blunt debate about the way journalists cover Muslims at home and abroad. The event was called Muslimedia. It was held at a local mosque in Ames, Iowa.
Heftman is also a speaker at the annual Okoboji Writer’s retreat and a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. He also volunteers for Young Storytellers, a nonprofit organization that empowers young people to use the art of storytelling to explore their identities, impact the people around them, and create a more just and equitable world.
The Production Company and Its Mission
The Seven Times is a full-service video production and creative consulting company founded by Emmy Award-winning journalist, videographer and video editor Nik Heftman. The company’s clients include Al Jazeera and Drake University. Their footage was also featured on CBS.
The company's first film, "The Negro Artist," is screening across the country in front of massive audiences. The film is also making a festival run, with a selection in at least one Academy Award-qualifying film festival.
Heftman founded The Seven Times in 2022 with the goal of spotlighting Black entrepreneurs across the United States. That vision evolved into a weekly docu series 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.
Thank You for Donating to Our Cause
Nik Heftman
Website: the7times.com // nikheftman.com
Email: info@the7times.com // nikheftman@gmail.com