Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan
Bay Shore, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
This film has the potential to resonate with wide audiences while also serving as a meaningful resource for those experiencing loss. Supporting this project means investing in a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, one that has the power to connect, heal, and inspire.
Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan
Bay Shore, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
1 Campaigns |
18 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,468
Goal: $20,000 for production
This film has the potential to resonate with wide audiences while also serving as a meaningful resource for those experiencing loss. Supporting this project means investing in a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, one that has the power to connect, heal, and inspire.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Seven days before I was supposed to walk down the aisle, I became a widow before I ever became a wife."
In a single moment, I went from choosing flowers and finalizing details to planning a funeral. I became part of a community I never knew existed: young widows.
People often imagine widowhood as something that happens later in life, after decades of marriage and shared memories. But every year, thousands of women lose their partners while they are still building careers, raising children, planning weddings, buying homes, and dreaming about the future.
Grief is isolating. Young widowhood can feel even more isolating.
When I lost my partner, I searched for someone who understood what it felt like to have their entire life rewritten overnight. And I did. I found dozens of women carrying the same invisible heartbreak while lacking the support systems and resources they desperately needed. Among them were four extraordinary Black women living in different parts of the country who, like me, had been forced to navigate a life they never chose.
What started as an online support group became something far deeper. Through late-night phone calls, shared tears, emergency check-ins, birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and cross-country visits, we became sisters.
This film is not just about loss.
It is a film about what happens after.
It is bout the women who show up when the world moves on.
It is about finding family in the most unexpected places.
And it is about discovering that even after profound loss, joy is still possible.
Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn’t Plan is a documentary exploring grief, resilience, and the healing power of community through the stories of five women who lost their partners far too soon. Widowhood is often portrayed as something that happens later in life. But for young widows, grief arrives at a stage when life is expected to be filled with growth, partnership, and future plans. Instead, these women are forced to navigate sudden loss while the rest of the world continues forward.
I never intended to tell this story.
Like many people, I believed widowhood was something that happened much later in life. Then, just days before I was supposed to get married, my partner died unexpectedly and my life changed forever.
In the months that followed, I tried to document my grief through video journals. I journaled the loneliness, the confusion, the anger, and the questions that came with trying to survive a loss I never imagined facing.
But I also documented something else: connection.
I found women who understood what I was experiencing without explanation. Women who knew the language of grief because they were living it too.
This film is deeply personal because I am not observing this story from the outside. I am living it.
Why This Story?
Young widows are rarely represented in media, and when they are, their stories often end with loss.
We want to tell a fuller story.
Unexpected Sisters explores what happens after the funeral, after the casseroles stop arriving, after the sympathy cards stop coming, and after everyone expects you to "move on."
The film examines grief through a lens rarely seen on screen: the experiences of young Black women navigating widowhood, friendship, healing, and rebuilding.
While our experiences are specific, the themes are universal.
Everyone understands love.
Everyone understands loss.
Everyone understands the need for community.
At its heart, this documentary asks a simple question:
How do we rebuild when the life we planned is no longer possible?
Why Now?
We are living through a time when more people are openly discussing grief, mental health, community care, and emotional wellness than ever before. Yet many people still suffer loss in silence.
Young widows remain largely invisible in conversations about grief. Black women's grief is especially underrepresented in mainstream storytelling.
Now is the moment to create space for these stories.
This film arrives at a time when audiences are seeking authentic stories about resilience, healing, and human connection. It offers a perspective that is both deeply personal and widely relatable.
Most importantly, it reminds viewers that no one should have to navigate grief alone. Ever.
Why Crowdfunding?
Because this story belongs to a community.
The same community that helped us survive is helping us bring this film to life. Crowdfunding allows audiences to become part of the journey from the very beginning. Every contribution helps us capture these stories with care, preserve them for future widows who may need them, and bring this message of hope and connection to a wider audience.
"We laughed. We cried. But most importantly, we created a space where l felt safe enough to be open and honest about my grief and how it has changed me. I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't met these women... I don't know if I would have felt safe enough to move forward with life." - TONIA
"I was looking for understanding, I was looking for connection, and I found that. We would talk and share what was going on in our lives, whether it was stuff with work. We would celebrate one another's wins. These ladies really helped me see that happiness, joy, and peace–All of those things are possible even after a devastating loss." - JUANETTA
“The sisterhood is invaluable. It's a place where we can support each other through those tough moments, and we can also celebrate each other when we have accomplishments. Maybe accomplishments that others don't see as monumental when you're doing things for the first time without your spouse or your partner.” - JAMAYA
"I needed an extra layer of support from women who truly understood what I was going through. In this kind of experience, you need support you don't even realize you need... until those tough days come. Showing up to events honoring Mike-his life and service as a firefighter-was heavy every time. I needed to hear the validation of 'I've had those same thoughts, those same dreams, those same reactions." - BRITTANY
A lot of us describe this kind of grief like being underwater, like you can't breathe... just coming up for quick gasps of air and going right back under. But as our relationship grew, we started giving each other more time above the surface. And eventually, we were keeping each other afloat, keeping each other out of the water. That's when strangers became sisters. When we weren't just holding space for each other's tears anymore, we were truly uplifting each other and keeping each other afloat. - SJ
Where We Are Now
We have already begun developing Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan and have spent months shaping the story, prepping and filming introductory interviews, gathering archival materials, and outlining our journeys.
The foundation is in place.
Now we are ready to move into the next stage of production.
Funds raised through this campaign will support filming, travel, equipment, and production expenses.
Every dollar helps us move closer to completing this documentary.
What Happens After the Campaign?
Once funded, we will continue production and post-production with the goal of completing the documentary and sharing it with audiences through film festivals, community screenings, streaming opportunities, and educational partnerships.
Our vision extends beyond a single film.
We hope Unexpected Sisters will spark conversations about grief, widowhood, mental health, community support, and healing while helping other widows feel seen.
Stretch Goals
If we exceed our fundraising goal, additional funds will allow us to:
• Move smoothly into post production including post-production editing, sound design, color correction, music licensing, and festival submission costs.
• Increase accessibility through captioning and outreach materials.
• Host community screenings and discussion events.
• Develop educational resources and impact campaigns around grief support.
How You Can Help
There are three powerful ways to support this project:
Pledge - Every contribution helps bring this film to life.
Share - Post about the campaign on social media, email friends and family, and help us reach new audiences.
Follow - Stay connected throughout production and become part of the Unexpected Sisters community.
Shareable Social Media Copy
I just supported "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan," a documentary about young widows who found healing, friendship, and sisterhood after devastating loss. Join me in helping bring this important story to life.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
Grief changed their lives. Sisterhood helped them rebuild. Support the documentary "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan" and help share a story of resilience, healing, and hope.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
Five women. Five stories of loss. One unexpected sisterhood.
I'm supporting "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan." Watch the trailer, share the campaign, and help bring this powerful documentary to audiences everywhere.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
AI Usage Disclosure
In the spirit of transparency, portions of this campaign were created with the assistance of generative AI tools.
AI was used to:
• Assist with editing and refining campaign copy.
• Generate promotional campaign artwork, including the campaign cover image.
• Generate artwork used for incentive and wishlist graphics.
All creative decisions, story development, documentary concept, personal experiences, participant stories, campaign strategy, and final approval of all materials were created and directed by the filmmaking team.
No AI was used to generate the documentary's interviews, participant stories, personal experiences, or documentary footage.
Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan is rooted in the real-life experiences of the women featured in the film, and all storytelling reflects their authentic lived experiences.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel for Filming
Costs $7,000
Flights, gas, and lodging to capture each participant’s story on location.
Production Equipment
Costs $3,000
Microphones, lighting, and tripods to ensure high-quality visuals and sound.
Production Expenses
Costs $4,000
Meals, supplies, and location-related costs to keep filming days running smoothly.
Legal Consultation & Release Forms
Costs $1,500
Protecting participants and securing all necessary legal documentation.
Director/Producer
Costs $2,000
Supports directing, coordinating, and leading the production process.
Field Producer / Production Support
Costs $1,500
Additional on-set support for logistics and execution.
Participant Honorariums
Costs $1,000
Beginning compensation for participants, with full honorariums to be completed in future funding.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Shateka “SJ” Johnson is a writer, director, and producer and the founder of Too Dope Chicks Media, an independent media company she has operated since 2020. Her work spans screenwriting, short film production, story development, and music synchronization and licensing. She has worked as a script analyst and writer and has developed multiple short and feature film projects, including network-produced short film work. Johnson has also written and produced original music used in her film projects, giving her experience in scoring and sync licensing for independent productions.
Her work focuses on character-driven stories, relationships, and stories centered on resilience, identity, and personal transformation. She approaches filmmaking from a writing and story-first perspective, with an emphasis on authentic conversation, emotional realism, and human connection.
Johnson is also a participant in her debut feature documentary, Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn’t Plan, a film that follows five women who, after losing their partners, meet through a support group and form a lifelong sisterhood built through friendship, travel, and shared life experience. Her personal connection to the story gives the film both an intimate perspective and long-term access to the subjects’ lives and relationships.
Unexpected Sisters is her first feature documentary as a director.
Brittany D. Jones is an Emmy-nominated, Associated Press award-winning journalist, storyteller, and founder of B.Free Communications & Consulting. With nearly 16 years of experience in television news as a national anchor, reporter, and producer, she has built a career centered on telling stories that inform, connect, and inspire. She is also the award-winning author of the Mike the Friendly Firefighter children’s book series, inspired by the life of service of her late fiancé, a young firefighter.
Her work on Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn’t Plan is both professional and deeply personal. After losing her fiancé in the line of duty, Jones became part of a community she never expected to join—young widowhood. As a producer and participant in the documentary, she brings a compassionate, story-driven lens to the experiences of women navigating loss, identity, and life after profound change.
Through her work, Jones is committed to creating space for honest conversation, honoring love, and illuminating the resilience required to rebuild a life that looks different from what was planned.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Seven days before I was supposed to walk down the aisle, I became a widow before I ever became a wife."
In a single moment, I went from choosing flowers and finalizing details to planning a funeral. I became part of a community I never knew existed: young widows.
People often imagine widowhood as something that happens later in life, after decades of marriage and shared memories. But every year, thousands of women lose their partners while they are still building careers, raising children, planning weddings, buying homes, and dreaming about the future.
Grief is isolating. Young widowhood can feel even more isolating.
When I lost my partner, I searched for someone who understood what it felt like to have their entire life rewritten overnight. And I did. I found dozens of women carrying the same invisible heartbreak while lacking the support systems and resources they desperately needed. Among them were four extraordinary Black women living in different parts of the country who, like me, had been forced to navigate a life they never chose.
What started as an online support group became something far deeper. Through late-night phone calls, shared tears, emergency check-ins, birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and cross-country visits, we became sisters.
This film is not just about loss.
It is a film about what happens after.
It is bout the women who show up when the world moves on.
It is about finding family in the most unexpected places.
And it is about discovering that even after profound loss, joy is still possible.
Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn’t Plan is a documentary exploring grief, resilience, and the healing power of community through the stories of five women who lost their partners far too soon. Widowhood is often portrayed as something that happens later in life. But for young widows, grief arrives at a stage when life is expected to be filled with growth, partnership, and future plans. Instead, these women are forced to navigate sudden loss while the rest of the world continues forward.
I never intended to tell this story.
Like many people, I believed widowhood was something that happened much later in life. Then, just days before I was supposed to get married, my partner died unexpectedly and my life changed forever.
In the months that followed, I tried to document my grief through video journals. I journaled the loneliness, the confusion, the anger, and the questions that came with trying to survive a loss I never imagined facing.
But I also documented something else: connection.
I found women who understood what I was experiencing without explanation. Women who knew the language of grief because they were living it too.
This film is deeply personal because I am not observing this story from the outside. I am living it.
Why This Story?
Young widows are rarely represented in media, and when they are, their stories often end with loss.
We want to tell a fuller story.
Unexpected Sisters explores what happens after the funeral, after the casseroles stop arriving, after the sympathy cards stop coming, and after everyone expects you to "move on."
The film examines grief through a lens rarely seen on screen: the experiences of young Black women navigating widowhood, friendship, healing, and rebuilding.
While our experiences are specific, the themes are universal.
Everyone understands love.
Everyone understands loss.
Everyone understands the need for community.
At its heart, this documentary asks a simple question:
How do we rebuild when the life we planned is no longer possible?
Why Now?
We are living through a time when more people are openly discussing grief, mental health, community care, and emotional wellness than ever before. Yet many people still suffer loss in silence.
Young widows remain largely invisible in conversations about grief. Black women's grief is especially underrepresented in mainstream storytelling.
Now is the moment to create space for these stories.
This film arrives at a time when audiences are seeking authentic stories about resilience, healing, and human connection. It offers a perspective that is both deeply personal and widely relatable.
Most importantly, it reminds viewers that no one should have to navigate grief alone. Ever.
Why Crowdfunding?
Because this story belongs to a community.
The same community that helped us survive is helping us bring this film to life. Crowdfunding allows audiences to become part of the journey from the very beginning. Every contribution helps us capture these stories with care, preserve them for future widows who may need them, and bring this message of hope and connection to a wider audience.
"We laughed. We cried. But most importantly, we created a space where l felt safe enough to be open and honest about my grief and how it has changed me. I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't met these women... I don't know if I would have felt safe enough to move forward with life." - TONIA
"I was looking for understanding, I was looking for connection, and I found that. We would talk and share what was going on in our lives, whether it was stuff with work. We would celebrate one another's wins. These ladies really helped me see that happiness, joy, and peace–All of those things are possible even after a devastating loss." - JUANETTA
“The sisterhood is invaluable. It's a place where we can support each other through those tough moments, and we can also celebrate each other when we have accomplishments. Maybe accomplishments that others don't see as monumental when you're doing things for the first time without your spouse or your partner.” - JAMAYA
"I needed an extra layer of support from women who truly understood what I was going through. In this kind of experience, you need support you don't even realize you need... until those tough days come. Showing up to events honoring Mike-his life and service as a firefighter-was heavy every time. I needed to hear the validation of 'I've had those same thoughts, those same dreams, those same reactions." - BRITTANY
A lot of us describe this kind of grief like being underwater, like you can't breathe... just coming up for quick gasps of air and going right back under. But as our relationship grew, we started giving each other more time above the surface. And eventually, we were keeping each other afloat, keeping each other out of the water. That's when strangers became sisters. When we weren't just holding space for each other's tears anymore, we were truly uplifting each other and keeping each other afloat. - SJ
Where We Are Now
We have already begun developing Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan and have spent months shaping the story, prepping and filming introductory interviews, gathering archival materials, and outlining our journeys.
The foundation is in place.
Now we are ready to move into the next stage of production.
Funds raised through this campaign will support filming, travel, equipment, and production expenses.
Every dollar helps us move closer to completing this documentary.
What Happens After the Campaign?
Once funded, we will continue production and post-production with the goal of completing the documentary and sharing it with audiences through film festivals, community screenings, streaming opportunities, and educational partnerships.
Our vision extends beyond a single film.
We hope Unexpected Sisters will spark conversations about grief, widowhood, mental health, community support, and healing while helping other widows feel seen.
Stretch Goals
If we exceed our fundraising goal, additional funds will allow us to:
• Move smoothly into post production including post-production editing, sound design, color correction, music licensing, and festival submission costs.
• Increase accessibility through captioning and outreach materials.
• Host community screenings and discussion events.
• Develop educational resources and impact campaigns around grief support.
How You Can Help
There are three powerful ways to support this project:
Pledge - Every contribution helps bring this film to life.
Share - Post about the campaign on social media, email friends and family, and help us reach new audiences.
Follow - Stay connected throughout production and become part of the Unexpected Sisters community.
Shareable Social Media Copy
I just supported "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan," a documentary about young widows who found healing, friendship, and sisterhood after devastating loss. Join me in helping bring this important story to life.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
Grief changed their lives. Sisterhood helped them rebuild. Support the documentary "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan" and help share a story of resilience, healing, and hope.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
Five women. Five stories of loss. One unexpected sisterhood.
I'm supporting "Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan." Watch the trailer, share the campaign, and help bring this powerful documentary to audiences everywhere.
#UnexpectedSisters #TheLifeWeDidntPlan #DocumentaryFilm
[https://seedandspark.com/fund/unexpected-sisters-the-life-we-didnt-plan#wishlist]
AI Usage Disclosure
In the spirit of transparency, portions of this campaign were created with the assistance of generative AI tools.
AI was used to:
• Assist with editing and refining campaign copy.
• Generate promotional campaign artwork, including the campaign cover image.
• Generate artwork used for incentive and wishlist graphics.
All creative decisions, story development, documentary concept, personal experiences, participant stories, campaign strategy, and final approval of all materials were created and directed by the filmmaking team.
No AI was used to generate the documentary's interviews, participant stories, personal experiences, or documentary footage.
Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn't Plan is rooted in the real-life experiences of the women featured in the film, and all storytelling reflects their authentic lived experiences.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel for Filming
Costs $7,000
Flights, gas, and lodging to capture each participant’s story on location.
Production Equipment
Costs $3,000
Microphones, lighting, and tripods to ensure high-quality visuals and sound.
Production Expenses
Costs $4,000
Meals, supplies, and location-related costs to keep filming days running smoothly.
Legal Consultation & Release Forms
Costs $1,500
Protecting participants and securing all necessary legal documentation.
Director/Producer
Costs $2,000
Supports directing, coordinating, and leading the production process.
Field Producer / Production Support
Costs $1,500
Additional on-set support for logistics and execution.
Participant Honorariums
Costs $1,000
Beginning compensation for participants, with full honorariums to be completed in future funding.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Shateka “SJ” Johnson is a writer, director, and producer and the founder of Too Dope Chicks Media, an independent media company she has operated since 2020. Her work spans screenwriting, short film production, story development, and music synchronization and licensing. She has worked as a script analyst and writer and has developed multiple short and feature film projects, including network-produced short film work. Johnson has also written and produced original music used in her film projects, giving her experience in scoring and sync licensing for independent productions.
Her work focuses on character-driven stories, relationships, and stories centered on resilience, identity, and personal transformation. She approaches filmmaking from a writing and story-first perspective, with an emphasis on authentic conversation, emotional realism, and human connection.
Johnson is also a participant in her debut feature documentary, Unexpected Sisters: The Life We Didn’t Plan, a film that follows five women who, after losing their partners, meet through a support group and form a lifelong sisterhood built through friendship, travel, and shared life experience. Her personal connection to the story gives the film both an intimate perspective and long-term access to the subjects’ lives and relationships.
Unexpected Sisters is her first feature documentary as a director.