Nick Brooks

Nick Brooks is an American author, filmmaker and rapper who performs under the stage name Ben Kenobe.

He wrote the middle-grade novel, Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont, published in 2022, and young adult novel, Promise Boys, published in 2023. His short film, BEE, debuted at the 2020 American Black Film Fest.

Life and career Nick Brooks was born in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Howard University, George Mason University, and from University of Southern California, with a M.F.A. in Film and TV Production, in 2020. At USC his films earned him the George Lucas Scholar Award, and the Jack Larson and James Bridges Award for Writing and Directing.

In 2021 Macmillan Publishing pre-empted Brooks' young adult debut, Promise Boys. Promise Boys was released and was followed up by Brooks' novel, Up In Smoke, which released in May 2025.

Promise Boys won the 2024 Odyssey Award for Young Adults.

Films

BEE (2020)