Dem Grannies Road Trip
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Film Feature
Comedy, Family
Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road follows three vibrant women—Cilmae, Nekmae, and Tunniemae—who chase their dreams of performing at the Southern Soul Festival in Atlanta. With humor, heart, and Southern Soul, they prove it’s never too late to live your dreams and bring joy to the world.
Dem Grannies Road Trip
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Film Feature
Comedy, Family
0 Campaigns | Wisconsin, United States
Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road follows three vibrant women—Cilmae, Nekmae, and Tunniemae—who chase their dreams of performing at the Southern Soul Festival in Atlanta. With humor, heart, and Southern Soul, they prove it’s never too late to live your dreams and bring joy to the world.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We all know the grandmothers who raised us: the ones who gave hugs and side-eyes, danced in the kitchen, prayed over our futures, and carried generations on their shoulders. Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road is a love letter to them — a wild, hilarious, and soulful celebration of Black grandmothers who never stopped dreaming, even when the world stopped looking.
This story follows Cilmae, Nekmae, and Tunniemae — three small-town Arkansas legends who once brought down the house with their Southern Soul hits in the 1970s. Decades later, still raising hell on Saturday nights and praising Jesus Sunday mornings, their dreams of stardom felt like a distant memory. Unexpectedly, invited to perform at the Southern Soul Festival in Atlanta, these unstoppable legends jumped at their last shot of glory, piling into a rusted church van with nothing but wigs, sass, and faith. Along the way, they pick up a young hitchhiker — a cocky R&B singer with no soul — and what starts as a road trip to reclaim their past becomes a journey to redefine their legacy and inspire a new generation.
This film isn’t just about laughs (though it’s got plenty), it’s about the power of Black matriarchs, the beauty of aging with purpose, and the sacred act of passing on knowledge and joy. It’s about how the music, humor, and resilience of our elders shaped who we are — and how their stories deserve to be told with love and authenticity.
We’re raising $50,000 to bring Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road to life with the respect, heart, and production value these characters deserve. Your support will help us pay our talented, Black-led cast and crew fairly, capture the magic of Southern back roads and church halls, and share this timeless story of friendship and legacy with the world.
By backing this campaign, you’re not just funding a movie — you’re honoring the grandmothers who taught us how to laugh, love, and fight for our dreams. Let’s take this ride together and show everyone that true soul never gets old.
Cilmae: The bougie, energetic member of the trio with a flair for the dramatic. She’s confident, loves the spotlight, and is always ready to perform.
Nekmae: The spiritual, wise grandmother with a playful side. She’s the peacemaker, always trying to keep the group grounded while maintaining her youthful energy.
Tunniemae: The sassy, sarcastic grandmother who keeps things real with humor and sharp wit. She brings a dose of tough love and doesn’t hold back.
Cilmae’s Nephew "Lil Rodney" :
A young man who backs out last minute from driving the grannies to Atlanta, claiming that his “baby mama’s baby” has a situation. He represents the younger generation’s indifference to the grannies’ goals.
Gary :
A long-time, unwanted fan of the grannies, obsessed with them and in love with each of them. He reluctantly agrees to drive them to Atlanta but creates awkward tension throughout the journey with his obsessive nature.
Keshia :
A young, sassy hitchhiker and budding R&B singer who is desperate to get to Atlanta for a record deal. She’s clueless about the art of Southern Soul but comes to see the grannies as unexpected mentors.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Why I Chose This Team for Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road
“When I decided to make Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road, I knew I needed a team that wasn’t just talented, but who understood the culture, the music, and the power of telling stories about our people with honesty and humor. Here’s why I chose the team I did:
First, Ray Cunningham is my head writer, director of photography, and director. Ray graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta and has put in real work on several films shot in the Atlanta scene, plus a whole bunch of music videos in the Southern Soul genre. He knows how to shoot our world so it looks vibrant, authentic, and alive. Ray gets the pace, the style, and the energy needed to bring these characters to life.
Rakesha Gibbons, our producer, is the one who keeps us moving forward. She’s organized, focused, and knows how to manage the chaos of a big project without ever losing sight of the creative vision. I’ve worked with Rakesha before, and I trust her completely to handle the behind-the-scenes work so the rest of us can focus on the story.
I brought in Rahn Hortman as co-writer because his comedy chops are unmatched. You’ve seen him on B.E.T.'s Comic View, Comedy Time, and Nickelodeon’s NickMom Night Out. He has a way of taking everyday moments and turning them into something hilarious but relatable. He’s going to make sure Dem Grannies is not just funny, but unforgettable.
And then there’s me — Sid55. As executive producer and music supervisor, I’m making sure the music feels as real and soulful as the story. Southern Soul is my heart, and I want the soundtrack to carry the same energy and feeling these grandmothers bring to every scene.
Together, we’re not just making a comedy — we’re creating something that celebrates Black grandmothers, Southern culture, and the soul that connects generations.”
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We all know the grandmothers who raised us: the ones who gave hugs and side-eyes, danced in the kitchen, prayed over our futures, and carried generations on their shoulders. Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road is a love letter to them — a wild, hilarious, and soulful celebration of Black grandmothers who never stopped dreaming, even when the world stopped looking.
This story follows Cilmae, Nekmae, and Tunniemae — three small-town Arkansas legends who once brought down the house with their Southern Soul hits in the 1970s. Decades later, still raising hell on Saturday nights and praising Jesus Sunday mornings, their dreams of stardom felt like a distant memory. Unexpectedly, invited to perform at the Southern Soul Festival in Atlanta, these unstoppable legends jumped at their last shot of glory, piling into a rusted church van with nothing but wigs, sass, and faith. Along the way, they pick up a young hitchhiker — a cocky R&B singer with no soul — and what starts as a road trip to reclaim their past becomes a journey to redefine their legacy and inspire a new generation.
This film isn’t just about laughs (though it’s got plenty), it’s about the power of Black matriarchs, the beauty of aging with purpose, and the sacred act of passing on knowledge and joy. It’s about how the music, humor, and resilience of our elders shaped who we are — and how their stories deserve to be told with love and authenticity.
We’re raising $50,000 to bring Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road to life with the respect, heart, and production value these characters deserve. Your support will help us pay our talented, Black-led cast and crew fairly, capture the magic of Southern back roads and church halls, and share this timeless story of friendship and legacy with the world.
By backing this campaign, you’re not just funding a movie — you’re honoring the grandmothers who taught us how to laugh, love, and fight for our dreams. Let’s take this ride together and show everyone that true soul never gets old.
Cilmae: The bougie, energetic member of the trio with a flair for the dramatic. She’s confident, loves the spotlight, and is always ready to perform.
Nekmae: The spiritual, wise grandmother with a playful side. She’s the peacemaker, always trying to keep the group grounded while maintaining her youthful energy.
Tunniemae: The sassy, sarcastic grandmother who keeps things real with humor and sharp wit. She brings a dose of tough love and doesn’t hold back.
Cilmae’s Nephew "Lil Rodney" :
A young man who backs out last minute from driving the grannies to Atlanta, claiming that his “baby mama’s baby” has a situation. He represents the younger generation’s indifference to the grannies’ goals.
Gary :
A long-time, unwanted fan of the grannies, obsessed with them and in love with each of them. He reluctantly agrees to drive them to Atlanta but creates awkward tension throughout the journey with his obsessive nature.
Keshia :
A young, sassy hitchhiker and budding R&B singer who is desperate to get to Atlanta for a record deal. She’s clueless about the art of Southern Soul but comes to see the grannies as unexpected mentors.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Why I Chose This Team for Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road
“When I decided to make Dem Grannies: Soul on the Road, I knew I needed a team that wasn’t just talented, but who understood the culture, the music, and the power of telling stories about our people with honesty and humor. Here’s why I chose the team I did:
First, Ray Cunningham is my head writer, director of photography, and director. Ray graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta and has put in real work on several films shot in the Atlanta scene, plus a whole bunch of music videos in the Southern Soul genre. He knows how to shoot our world so it looks vibrant, authentic, and alive. Ray gets the pace, the style, and the energy needed to bring these characters to life.
Rakesha Gibbons, our producer, is the one who keeps us moving forward. She’s organized, focused, and knows how to manage the chaos of a big project without ever losing sight of the creative vision. I’ve worked with Rakesha before, and I trust her completely to handle the behind-the-scenes work so the rest of us can focus on the story.
I brought in Rahn Hortman as co-writer because his comedy chops are unmatched. You’ve seen him on B.E.T.'s Comic View, Comedy Time, and Nickelodeon’s NickMom Night Out. He has a way of taking everyday moments and turning them into something hilarious but relatable. He’s going to make sure Dem Grannies is not just funny, but unforgettable.
And then there’s me — Sid55. As executive producer and music supervisor, I’m making sure the music feels as real and soulful as the story. Southern Soul is my heart, and I want the soundtrack to carry the same energy and feeling these grandmothers bring to every scene.
Together, we’re not just making a comedy — we’re creating something that celebrates Black grandmothers, Southern culture, and the soul that connects generations.”