"BROWN"

About the Song

A powerful anthem for equity and justice, "BROWN" is inspired by the teachings of Mrs. Jane Elliott. This song is a call to action against racism and a celebration of our shared humanity.

Dropping Friday, August 8, 2025.

The Movement to End Racism

The song "BROWN" is more than music - it's a message. It's a call to action for equity, love, and justice. Join Mrs. Jane Elliott and The Universal Brother in a movement to educate, raise awareness, and end racism in our communities and around the world.

Together, we can make a difference. Let's stand united against racism and promote understanding and acceptance among all people, regardless of their skin color.

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The Universal Brother

Known to the world as THE UNIVERSAL BROTHER
Musician • Producer • Visionary • CFO, One World Media Group

Stephon Uthman Shakir, internationally recognized as The Universal Brother, is a multifaceted artist, producer, and accomplished funk rock bassist whose powerful voice, soul-driven artistry, and visionary approach have helped shape music across continents and generations. With a career that bridges cultures, genres, and mediums, Shakir stands as a beacon of innovation, unity, and creative excellence.

Musical Origins & Global Rise

From a young age, Shakir displayed a natural affinity for music, honing his craft on the bass guitar and developing a virtuosity that would soon captivate audiences worldwide. His exploration of genre eventually led him to pioneer POAM (Positive Oriented Alternative Music) - a sound that blends soul, rock, funk, and conscious lyricism.

In Japan, Stephon made waves by collaborating with legendary fashion designer Kohshin Satoh (best known as Miles Davis's designer) and iconic producer Mark Kamins (who discovered Madonna). Together, they created the Arreston Volaju LP, which went platinum in just 36 hours, a groundbreaking moment in cross-cultural music fusion.

Black Radio & International Impact

Shakir's journey continued in the UK as frontman of the alternative rock band BLACK RADIO. Guided by The Cure's Derek Thompson, the band carved out a distinctive sound supported by an elite lineup, including Apollo 440's drummer Cliff Hewitt and bassist Reginald Abgwenth. Their raw energy and genre-defying performances earned them underground acclaim and a loyal following.

From LA to the Stage with Legends

Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Shakir joined forces with Sean Healy Promotions, opening for legendary acts like George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, and Digital Underground. Alongside powerhouse musicians such as drummer Troy Berry and guitarist Andrea Bari, Stephon continued to electrify stages with high-energy shows rooted in funk, rock, and soul.

Jacksonville Collaborations & Evolving Sound

Now based in Jacksonville, Florida, Stephon continues to evolve musically. Collaborating with elite producers such as Paul Lapinski (Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), MGeezy (T-Pain), and Mia Chapman, he has expanded his catalog and demonstrated his versatility across new sonic landscapes. His ongoing work here solidifies his role as both a performer and a cultural bridge.

As The Universal Brother: Music That Heals & Unites

Under the stage name The Universal Brother, Stephon has released several records that combine powerful storytelling with conscious themes:

"Purple Phone"

"Mr. Sugano"

"Ode to the Melanin Rich"

"Black Nipponese"

"Brown" (Releasing August 8, 2025) - A powerful global anthem to help end racism, rooted in the message that "we are all just different shades of brown."

Business Ventures & Future Vision

Today, as the CFO of One World Media Group, Stephon has expanded his reach into the worlds of music publishing, synchronization, audiobook production, and record label ventures. His partnerships with industry leaders such as Clive Fox, Damon Whitaker, and Robert Bell Jr. highlight his ongoing commitment to global creative equity, innovation, and the future of entertainment.

Legacy of the Universal Brother

From Tokyo to London, from the underground clubs of LA to the boardrooms of global media, Stephon Uthman Shakir has left an indelible mark on the world. As The Universal Brother, he continues to break barriers - musically, culturally, and socially - using his platform to unite humanity through rhythm, message, and movement.

His legacy is one of courage, connection, and creativity, inspiring future generations to express boldly, love deeply, and believe in the power of unity.

About Jane Elliott

Jane Elliott is a groundbreaking American educator and internationally renowned diversity trainer best known for creating the transformative "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise designed to expose the realities of racism, prejudice, and systemic discrimination. She first conducted the exercise in 1968, the day after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in her third-grade classroom in Riceville, Iowa. What began as a simple lesson on empathy has since evolved into a powerful global tool for confronting racism, sexism, ageism, and other forms of social injustice.

With a career spanning over six decades, Elliott has become one of the most recognizable and influential voices in the fight for human equity. She has conducted lectures and seminars across the United States and internationally, challenging audiences in corporations, schools, universities, and government agencies to examine their biases and rethink how privilege and discrimination operate in society.

Elliott's no-nonsense style and unapologetic message have led to appearances on major platforms such as The Tonight Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and 60 Minutes, igniting difficult but necessary conversations about race relations. Her acclaimed book, "A Collar In My Pocket: The Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise," offers an unfiltered look at her lifelong mission to educate people about the realities of bigotry and the urgent need for systemic change.

Born in 1933 on a farm outside Riceville, Iowa, Elliott graduated from a one-room schoolhouse before attending Riceville high school and ultimately graduating from Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in 1952. She began teaching in 1953 and returned to the classroom in 1963 after starting a family. Her groundbreaking work has earned numerous accolades, including the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education.

Today, Jane Elliott remains an iconic figure in the realm of diversity education - unrelenting in her pursuit of justice and unwavering in her belief that "there is only one race - the human race." And there's only one skin color - "shades of brown".

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