Stories by @jmcdowell

Never Gonna Give You Up: The Barry & Glodean White Story

Logline: At the height of the soul and disco era, deep-voiced music icon Barry White and glamorous Love Unlimited singer Glodean James forge a passionate, high-profile love story tested by fame, infidelity, personal demons, and an undying musical bond that reshaped romantic music forever.

A Season of Change

In a charming Southern town wrapped in Christmas magic, a fiercely independent daycare owner and a nurturing foster mother forge an unexpected bond through a withdrawn little boy. As they work together to help him heal—and fight for his future—they rediscover the meaning of motherhood, music, and chosen family.

You're All I Need: The Tammi Terrell Story

A biographical film on the life of Motown singer Tammi Terrell.

The Rose (Remake)

Loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, the film follows a self-destructive rock star in the late 1960's, who struggles to cope with the pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager. The Rose was released on November 7, 1979 and starred Bette Midler.

The Black Patti: the Sissieretta Jones Story

Chronicles the life of internationally acclaimed opera Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, the first African American singer to perform at the Carnegie Hall in 1892.

Sister, Sister (remake)

The film tells the story of three sisters who come together to decide the fate of their family home after the death of their revered father. It aired on June 7, 1982 on NBC.

The Funky Divas: The En Vogue Story

A three-part miniseries about R&B girl group En Vogue, from their rise to fame after being formed in Oakland, California in 1989, to becoming one of the most successful female groups of the 1990's.

Raisin (Broadway Revival)

A musical, adapted from Lorraine Hansberry play A Raisin in the Sun, with music by Judd Woldin, lyrics by Robert Brittan, and a book by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg. Raisin premiered on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on October 18, 1973, transferred to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 13, 1975, and closed on December 8, 1975 after 847 performances. The musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning two, including Best Musical.

Why Did I Get Married Again?

The third installment of Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married franchise. The film takes place after Why Did I Get Married Too.

The Supremes

A four-hour television miniseries about the history of Motown Records' most commercially successful act during the 1960's and the most successful girl group, with twelve number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Five Heartbeats (Remake)

Film chronicles the rise and the fall of the fictional musical group The Five Heartbeats.

Ossie & Ruby

Chronicles the lives and relationship of Hollywood royalty Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Based on their joint autobiography With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together.

Purlie (Broadway Revival)

Based on Ossie Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious and focuses on Purlie Victorious Judson, a southern preacher who comes home to shake things up and bring freedom to his people working the fields of Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee's plantation. With the help of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Purlie sets out to meet his goals. Witty, memorable music and a whole lot of fun unfold as Purlie outmaneuvers ol' Colonel and finds love with Lutiebelle.

Sparkle (Remake)

In 1950s Harlem, Sparkle, Sister and Dolores are three musically gifted sisters whose mother, Effie supports them by working as a maid. Encouraged by Sparkle's boyfriend, Stix, the three form a singing group and become a sensation at a local nightclub. However, tensions rise when Sister is appointed the group's lead singer and begins dating Satin, an abusive, drug-addicted pimp.

Bebe's Kids (Live Action Remake)

A live action remake of the 1992 cult classic of the same name based on the late comedian Robin Harris' stand-up comedy act of the same name. To impress his new girlfriend, a man agrees to look after her friend's kids, only to find that they are uncontrollably rambunctious.

Make a Joyful Noise

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit-meets-School of Rock. A struggling singer accepts a job as a music teacher at a inner-city high school that is in danger of closing. After discovering her students’ musical talent, she turns them into a choir and enter them into an national choir competition in an attempt to save the school from closure. She finds herself in a dilemma when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime and must makes a decision a week before the competition.

The Frankie Lymon Story

The real story of Rock & Roll/R&B icon Frankie Lymon, the lead singer of the doo-wop group The Teenagers.

Destiny Fulfilled: The Destiny's Child Story

A three-part miniseries that follows R&B/pop girl group Destiny's Child from the humble beginnings as kids in Houston, Texas to global mega-superstardom - weathering the highs and lows of controversy, lineup changes, and the ultimate cost of fame.

Sing, Unburied, Sing

It focuses on a family in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi.

Everything And Nothing

Based on the life of Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black woman who made history to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category. Adapted from the 1970 book Everything and Nothing: the Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy by Dandridge herself and Earl Conrad.