American Promise is a documentary film spanning 13 years from directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson.

[2] The film captures the stories of Brewster and Stephenson's 5-year-old son Idris and his best friend and classmate Seun as these families navigate their way through the rigorous prep-school process and secure admission to the Dalton School.

[3][4] The film is set against the backdrop of a persistent educational achievement gap that dramatically affects African-American boys at all socioeconomic levels across the country.

[citation needed] The film's focus shifted based on the experiences that Idris and Seun faced while at Dalton.

Random House was set to publish a companion book about the film and the issues it raises in conjunction with the American Promise Campaign.