Help make "His-Story"! — the Donald Goines Biopic
Our first crowdfunding milestone is $50,000 — Phase One of bringing 'His-Story: The Chronicles of Donald Goines' to the screen. The campaign runs October 21 through December 15, 2026. His Story. Your Shot. Coming soon to Seed&Spark — our Phase One campaign: a $50,000 goal for development, packaging, and financing readiness for the feature. With GreenLight, the campaign keeps its funds at 80% of goal, and it is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The Story Is Bigger Than the First Goal.
HIS-STORY: The Chronicles of Donald Goines is being developed as a $2.5 million feature film. Our first crowdfunding milestone is $50,000 — a focused Phase One designed to help us advance development, strengthen the production package, and build momentum toward full financing. This first step also supports the work needed to pursue a formal commitment from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott, who has expressed interest contingent on financing. The $50,000 milestone is a beginning, not the full production budget.
Phase One advances packaging, legal/rights, and development work — laying the groundwork for full financing.
The road ahead: Phase One ($50,000) → package and financing readiness → additional financing → $2.5 million feature production.
Be part of the first $50,000. Help bring Donald Goines's story to the screen.
Celebrate Detroit's Storytelling Master
Detroit's Godfather of street literature. Dopefiend, Whoreson, Black Gangster, Street Players — the books that built a genre. Explore the collection.
Explore Donald Goines' Legacy
From the streets and the prison yard to the page — Goines turned his own life into literature that still hits hard today.
The Film
A Detroit-set feature film spanning the 1950s–1970s, bringing the life of Donald Goines — the Godfather of urban literature — to the big screen for the first time. Inspired by true events.
The Team Behind His-Story
Producing — Detroit-based production company bringing His-Story: The Chronicles of Donald Goines to the big screen.
Urban Oracle Studios
Producer
Madisun Leigh
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott has expressed interest contingent on financing. Phase One is intended in part to help advance the work needed to pursue his formal involvement; no attachment is guaranteed.
Kevin Willmott
Producer
Robert '7' Shannon
In Loving Memory — Joan Goines Coney
Donald's beloved younger sister, whose love and memories helped keep his story alive. This film honors her legacy.
Reach Out to Urban Oracle Studios
Questions about the film, press, or partnerships — reach out. We read everything.