I can't seem to get WP_QUERY to work on a custom post type content file

Hi,

I've just started working with WP_QUERY today and am trying to test a loop in a custom post type file called content-brand.php, which is the content display file for the "brand" CPT. I created this file by copying and renaming content-single.php.

Unfortunately, the code is not returning any posts at all.

Does GeneratePress prevent WP_QUERY from running in the PHP files for the theme?

Should I be doing this some other way with GeneratePress?

I have not found anything that says WP_QUERY can only be run on a certain file type or on a certain part of a PHP file and I can get other WP functions like get_the_title() to work fine, so I'm kind of confused.

This is the code I am placing into the file:

	<?php 

// args
$args = array(
   'post_type' => 'brands',
	'posts_per_page' => 3
);

// query
$the_query = new WP_Query($args);

?>
<?php if( $the_query->have_posts() ): ?>

    <ul>
	
    <?php while( $the_query->have_posts() ) : $the_query->the_post(); ?>
        <li>
            <a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>">
                
                <?php the_title(); ?>
            </a>
        </li>
    <?php endwhile; ?>
    </ul>
<?php endif; ?>

<?php wp_reset_query();   // Restore global post data stomped by the_post(). ?>

Thank you in advance for any assistance with this. I am trying to land a gig that requires use of the WP_QUERY inside GeneratePress so I would be grateful for any help.

Josh