A Thing to Accept (A Working Title..)
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Feature
Action, Thriller
Living a life of fear & control at the hands of her abuser, a dispirited woman bravely chooses life after she falls in love with another man.
A Thing to Accept (A Working Title..)
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Feature
Action, Thriller
1 Campaigns | California, United States
94 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$30,398
Goal: $50,000 for pre-production
Living a life of fear & control at the hands of her abuser, a dispirited woman bravely chooses life after she falls in love with another man.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Welcome to our fundraising page for the upcoming project, A Thing to Accept! We are so thankful for your visit!
This project is more than a film — it's a platform for awareness, empathy, & conversation. Through powerful storytelling, we aim to humanize the realities of abuse, inspire dialogue, & support survivors in feeling seen. We are dedicated to amplifying bold, original stories that push boundaries & elevate underrepresented voices both on screen & behind the camera. Your contribution helps create art with purpose.
A THING TO ACCEPT is a story about Semira, a woman who lives in quiet captivity as she survives a relationship built on emotional control. The only place she feels truly in control is in her kitchen, where baking becomes both refuge & silent rebellion. When she connects with Darren, a compassionate presence who offers her a glimpse of safety & genuine love, Semira begins to experience a life defined by choice rather than fear — but as her abuser, Dawg, senses her growing independence, manipulation escalates into a devastating confrontation that forces her to confront a painful truth: survival is no longer enough. To reclaim her life, Semira must risk everything — true love & stability, security, & her own safety — in a courageous bid for freedom.
A Thing to Accept alongside these four titles creates a fascinating spectrum of the "domestic thriller" genre. Our film takes the high-stakes suspense of 90's cinema and grounds it in the gritty, realistic consequences of 80's social drama. Here is how our story compares to these specific pillars:
Instead of waiting for Hollywood to green light us, we're building this ourselves — with the help of YOU. Led by an award-winning, dynamic team of storytellers who have a deep passion for storytelling, an eye for talent, and a will to push the envelope.
Our team is so excited to bring this story to life! We ask that you support and become a part of this journey with us. You’ve heard our eagerness and enthusiasm to get this project underway but in order to do so, various key elements are needed to make a great film. Here are just a few, as we work on funding for our pre-production phase:
- Set up the film's legal structure
- Hire a production attorney
- Obtain permits and put payroll and insurance in place
- Lock in our key crew members (i.e., Line Producer, Director of Photography, Production Designer) to begin visual development
- Secure cameras, lighting & audio equipment/rental gear
Additionally, we will need to secure the following:
- Lead & supporting cast
- Remaining crew
- Shooting locations
- Transportation for cast & above the line crew
- Post production services (editing, composing, visual effects, etc.)
- Operational (supplies, printouts, marketing, promo, publicity)
- Catering & Crafty (we have to take care of our actors & crew; 12 hour days require well -balanced meals, healthy snacks, & lots of water!)
Our goal for our launch campaign is $50,000. This funding will allow our team to delve into the pre-production phase and begin to further shape the visual aspects of the film. We will be able to set up the film's legal structure, hire a production attorney, obtain proper permits/insurances, lock in our essential crew members, and so much more — as we lock in additional funding through private investors, to reach overall budget goal of $500k.
Whether it's making a financial contribution, spreading the word by sharing our campaign link within your network, or simply sending good vibes & well wishes..We are grateful for it all!
We welcome all kinds of support and resources ranging from in-kind items and/or donations. If you are able to help and can offer services or in-kind donations, please email us at : [email protected].
Every bit helps us get closer to our goal!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Building the Foundation
Costs $20,000
This will allow us to set up legal structure, put payroll & insurances in places, & hire a few essential crew members.
Cast & Crew
Costs $20,000
We're able to officially add our director to payroll & move forward with the full development process of the script & bring on a full cast!
Locations + Set
Costs $10,000
This will allow us to lock in locations and/or secure a stage for shooting.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
TyKecia P. Hayes
Creative Producer, Casting Director, Talent Executive
An emerging creative with years of experience under her belt in television & film. Her strong work ethic and tenacity have awarded her opportunities to work alongside some of the industry's top executives and companies such as Atlas Entertainment, NAACP Image Awards, Sundance's Blackhouse, Complex Networks/Buzzfeed, Spotify, Paramount, & BET Networks.
Some of her notable works include The Bobby Brown Story, American Soul, Average Joe, Diarra from Detroit, The Ms. Pat Show, A Day Before Christmas, & award-winning shorts, We Are Not Okay (TDE Films), Swipe, & She Had to Ask (AllBLK).
Tyrone Baker Jr.
Producer, Production Executive, Host
An esteemed television executive and podcast host who has spent the past decade working locally and overseas in all faucets of production and post with WeTV, Bravo, Netflix, WWE, TLC, VH1, A&E, Discovery Channel, & Esquire, to name a few.
Ty's desire and focus lies in amplifying Black voices. He currently serves as Co-Executive Producer of The Dopaliscious, a sensory culinary experience where music and fine dining collide.
Kelley Kali
Director, Producer, Writer
Kelley is an LA native, Howard University & USC School of Cinematic Arts Alumna, and has directed, written, and produced award-winning films in Belize, Haiti, China, Brazil and locally in the USA. In 2018, Kelley wrote and directed Lalo’s House (executive produced by Garcelle Beauvais and Lisa L. Wilson), which went on to win the 45th Annual Student Academy Award and was in consideration for the 91st Annual Academy Awards. Then in 2020 She wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the original feature film, I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING), which was an early pick for narrative competition at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. It went on to win a Special Jury Recognition for Multi-Hyphenate Storyteller (an award they created for her). It sold to and is streaming on BET+ and BET Her, Showtime, HBO Europe, had a theatrical release March 2023 in the UK, and currently stands at 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2023/2024 she finished directing two studio feature films, Jagged Mind for 20th / Hulu and Kemba a MPI and BET Original Feature Film. Kemba is based on true events and has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, news outlets across the nation and has screened in the U.S. Capitol to congress members and the public. Kelley was selected as a recipient of the 2021 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women in directing and more recently she received the 2024 Amplify Award at Sundance Film Festival from the Sundance humanitarian partner, the Windrider Institute, for her directing work on Kemba. She was also nominated by the 2025 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Director in a TV Movie for Kemba. Kelley's mission is to be a creator who addresses issues within marginalized communities by using the art of filmmaking to create dialogue and action towards positive change.
Alicia Allen
Writer, Producer, Production Executive
A seasoned cinematic creator, whose career spans more than two decades. Alicia has helped shape some of television's most recognizable programming, including, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Potomac, Caught in the Act: Double Life with Tamar Braxton, and Caught in the Act: Unfaithful with Tami Roman.
Alicia's passion is storytelling, directing her first indie feature, XXX, solidifying her command of visual language and narrative pacing. At the core, her work is a clear, unwavering thesis: to create stories for her community that authentically reflect the lives, complexities, and truths of her community. Her work is unapologetic, intentional, and built for longevity; crafted by a filmmaker who understands not only how stories are told but why they matter.
Guernica Williams
Producer, Writer
Guernica D. Williams is a cinematic storyteller whose work is rooted in narratives that move people, reflect truth, and give voice to those too often unheard. She has shaped impactful stories across film, television, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms. Her executive producing credits include Voices: The Untold Stories of Black Boys and The Dopaliscious, projects grounded in emotional truth, identity, and resilience.
This upcoming film reflects her belief that storytelling has the power to heal, challenge, and shift perspective far beyond the screen. That belief also led Guernica to found iChangeTheNarrative, a global storytelling platform dedicated to reshaping how Black men and boys are seen through media, truth-telling, and community engagement.
Jael Wyatt
Associate Producer
Wyatt is an Associate Producer drawn to stories that linger, stories shaped by emotional truth, interior lives, and the quiet moments that reveal who people really are. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2020) and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Counseling (2022), Jael brings a nuanced, character-driven perspective to the filmmaking process.
Working in production since 2020, Jael has built her foundation in production management, serving in roles including Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, Field Manager, Assistant Office Production Coordinator, and Associate Producer. On this upcoming project, she works as an Associate Producer, helping translate creative vision into lived reality, supporting both the practical mechanics of production and the integrity of the story being told.
Jael is especially interested in how psychological insight shapes character development and audience connection, and she is committed to projects that honor complexity, intimacy, and the power of narrative to move people.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Welcome to our fundraising page for the upcoming project, A Thing to Accept! We are so thankful for your visit!
This project is more than a film — it's a platform for awareness, empathy, & conversation. Through powerful storytelling, we aim to humanize the realities of abuse, inspire dialogue, & support survivors in feeling seen. We are dedicated to amplifying bold, original stories that push boundaries & elevate underrepresented voices both on screen & behind the camera. Your contribution helps create art with purpose.
A THING TO ACCEPT is a story about Semira, a woman who lives in quiet captivity as she survives a relationship built on emotional control. The only place she feels truly in control is in her kitchen, where baking becomes both refuge & silent rebellion. When she connects with Darren, a compassionate presence who offers her a glimpse of safety & genuine love, Semira begins to experience a life defined by choice rather than fear — but as her abuser, Dawg, senses her growing independence, manipulation escalates into a devastating confrontation that forces her to confront a painful truth: survival is no longer enough. To reclaim her life, Semira must risk everything — true love & stability, security, & her own safety — in a courageous bid for freedom.
A Thing to Accept alongside these four titles creates a fascinating spectrum of the "domestic thriller" genre. Our film takes the high-stakes suspense of 90's cinema and grounds it in the gritty, realistic consequences of 80's social drama. Here is how our story compares to these specific pillars:
Instead of waiting for Hollywood to green light us, we're building this ourselves — with the help of YOU. Led by an award-winning, dynamic team of storytellers who have a deep passion for storytelling, an eye for talent, and a will to push the envelope.
Our team is so excited to bring this story to life! We ask that you support and become a part of this journey with us. You’ve heard our eagerness and enthusiasm to get this project underway but in order to do so, various key elements are needed to make a great film. Here are just a few, as we work on funding for our pre-production phase:
- Set up the film's legal structure
- Hire a production attorney
- Obtain permits and put payroll and insurance in place
- Lock in our key crew members (i.e., Line Producer, Director of Photography, Production Designer) to begin visual development
- Secure cameras, lighting & audio equipment/rental gear
Additionally, we will need to secure the following:
- Lead & supporting cast
- Remaining crew
- Shooting locations
- Transportation for cast & above the line crew
- Post production services (editing, composing, visual effects, etc.)
- Operational (supplies, printouts, marketing, promo, publicity)
- Catering & Crafty (we have to take care of our actors & crew; 12 hour days require well -balanced meals, healthy snacks, & lots of water!)
Our goal for our launch campaign is $50,000. This funding will allow our team to delve into the pre-production phase and begin to further shape the visual aspects of the film. We will be able to set up the film's legal structure, hire a production attorney, obtain proper permits/insurances, lock in our essential crew members, and so much more — as we lock in additional funding through private investors, to reach overall budget goal of $500k.
Whether it's making a financial contribution, spreading the word by sharing our campaign link within your network, or simply sending good vibes & well wishes..We are grateful for it all!
We welcome all kinds of support and resources ranging from in-kind items and/or donations. If you are able to help and can offer services or in-kind donations, please email us at : [email protected].
Every bit helps us get closer to our goal!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Building the Foundation
Costs $20,000
This will allow us to set up legal structure, put payroll & insurances in places, & hire a few essential crew members.
Cast & Crew
Costs $20,000
We're able to officially add our director to payroll & move forward with the full development process of the script & bring on a full cast!
Locations + Set
Costs $10,000
This will allow us to lock in locations and/or secure a stage for shooting.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
TyKecia P. Hayes
Creative Producer, Casting Director, Talent Executive
An emerging creative with years of experience under her belt in television & film. Her strong work ethic and tenacity have awarded her opportunities to work alongside some of the industry's top executives and companies such as Atlas Entertainment, NAACP Image Awards, Sundance's Blackhouse, Complex Networks/Buzzfeed, Spotify, Paramount, & BET Networks.
Some of her notable works include The Bobby Brown Story, American Soul, Average Joe, Diarra from Detroit, The Ms. Pat Show, A Day Before Christmas, & award-winning shorts, We Are Not Okay (TDE Films), Swipe, & She Had to Ask (AllBLK).
Tyrone Baker Jr.
Producer, Production Executive, Host
An esteemed television executive and podcast host who has spent the past decade working locally and overseas in all faucets of production and post with WeTV, Bravo, Netflix, WWE, TLC, VH1, A&E, Discovery Channel, & Esquire, to name a few.
Ty's desire and focus lies in amplifying Black voices. He currently serves as Co-Executive Producer of The Dopaliscious, a sensory culinary experience where music and fine dining collide.
Kelley Kali
Director, Producer, Writer
Kelley is an LA native, Howard University & USC School of Cinematic Arts Alumna, and has directed, written, and produced award-winning films in Belize, Haiti, China, Brazil and locally in the USA. In 2018, Kelley wrote and directed Lalo’s House (executive produced by Garcelle Beauvais and Lisa L. Wilson), which went on to win the 45th Annual Student Academy Award and was in consideration for the 91st Annual Academy Awards. Then in 2020 She wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the original feature film, I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING), which was an early pick for narrative competition at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. It went on to win a Special Jury Recognition for Multi-Hyphenate Storyteller (an award they created for her). It sold to and is streaming on BET+ and BET Her, Showtime, HBO Europe, had a theatrical release March 2023 in the UK, and currently stands at 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2023/2024 she finished directing two studio feature films, Jagged Mind for 20th / Hulu and Kemba a MPI and BET Original Feature Film. Kemba is based on true events and has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, news outlets across the nation and has screened in the U.S. Capitol to congress members and the public. Kelley was selected as a recipient of the 2021 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women in directing and more recently she received the 2024 Amplify Award at Sundance Film Festival from the Sundance humanitarian partner, the Windrider Institute, for her directing work on Kemba. She was also nominated by the 2025 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Director in a TV Movie for Kemba. Kelley's mission is to be a creator who addresses issues within marginalized communities by using the art of filmmaking to create dialogue and action towards positive change.
Alicia Allen
Writer, Producer, Production Executive
A seasoned cinematic creator, whose career spans more than two decades. Alicia has helped shape some of television's most recognizable programming, including, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Potomac, Caught in the Act: Double Life with Tamar Braxton, and Caught in the Act: Unfaithful with Tami Roman.
Alicia's passion is storytelling, directing her first indie feature, XXX, solidifying her command of visual language and narrative pacing. At the core, her work is a clear, unwavering thesis: to create stories for her community that authentically reflect the lives, complexities, and truths of her community. Her work is unapologetic, intentional, and built for longevity; crafted by a filmmaker who understands not only how stories are told but why they matter.
Guernica Williams
Producer, Writer
Guernica D. Williams is a cinematic storyteller whose work is rooted in narratives that move people, reflect truth, and give voice to those too often unheard. She has shaped impactful stories across film, television, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms. Her executive producing credits include Voices: The Untold Stories of Black Boys and The Dopaliscious, projects grounded in emotional truth, identity, and resilience.
This upcoming film reflects her belief that storytelling has the power to heal, challenge, and shift perspective far beyond the screen. That belief also led Guernica to found iChangeTheNarrative, a global storytelling platform dedicated to reshaping how Black men and boys are seen through media, truth-telling, and community engagement.
Jael Wyatt
Associate Producer
Wyatt is an Associate Producer drawn to stories that linger, stories shaped by emotional truth, interior lives, and the quiet moments that reveal who people really are. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2020) and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Counseling (2022), Jael brings a nuanced, character-driven perspective to the filmmaking process.
Working in production since 2020, Jael has built her foundation in production management, serving in roles including Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, Field Manager, Assistant Office Production Coordinator, and Associate Producer. On this upcoming project, she works as an Associate Producer, helping translate creative vision into lived reality, supporting both the practical mechanics of production and the integrity of the story being told.
Jael is especially interested in how psychological insight shapes character development and audience connection, and she is committed to projects that honor complexity, intimacy, and the power of narrative to move people.