About this project

In 1978, I was six and I believed a man could fly. Since 1978, I have been an avid Superman fan. While I should be embarrassed to admit my shrine-like collection of Superman memorabilia, I am not. I am an African American woman in my mid-thirties and I love Superman. Over the years, I have waited for a superhero that resembled me. Watching my siblings, my nieces, my nephews and other African American children tie red towels around their neck or make a homemade bat suit for Halloween has often made me wonder when will it be our time to have a hero who looks like us? I decided to create my own: “Genesis”.

We’re raising funds through Kickstarter to shoot the first of three films in the “Genesis” trilogy.

“Genesis: The Beginning” is part one of a trilogy about the world’s first TEAM of black superheroes. “Genesis: The Beginning”; “Genesis: The Resurrection”; and “Genesis: Revelations” are the second two parts that round out the trilogy. The series follows five siblings with superhuman powers. Part One, “Genesis: The Beginning” introduces us to our five heroes, their enemies, and the all the secrets, lies, and truths that challenges them all. “Genesis: The Resurrection” takes the story back to the Tuskegee Experiments in Alabama as well as into the future where heroes are not always good. “Genesis: Revelations” is the final chapter where all the heroes and the villains fight against a common enemy…the man who started it all.

Unlike established D.C. or Marvel characters/projects, “Genesis” can be produced with a modest budget to jump start the franchise. Yes, franchise: three films, graphic novels, merchandise, and apparel. Below are links for photos, videos, and a our fan page.

Synopsis: Set in present day Los Angeles, “Genesis” follows the lives and adventures of five siblings who were given extraordinary powers by their parents when they were children. Scientists Alegra and Donovan Tolson were children of the Civil Rights Movement. They saw their families’ lives scarred by the Tuskegee Experiments and vow they would use science to save the world, not destroy it. They, with fellow scientist and long time friend, Eli Jensen, begin experiments on their five children in 1989. These experiments are designed to give the four elder children special gifts, powers that will connect them to the Earth’s natural elements: earth (Taige, age 6), fire (Xander, 5), water (Xavier, 5), and air (Jordan,4). The fifth children, Quincey (age 2), is given his power against Alegra’s consent. Donovan secretly connects young Quincey to an elaborate computer system, uploading all the world’s knowledge and technology into Quincey’s small frame. Alegra finds out about Donovan’s plan, but not in time to stop the upload. The outcome, the resulting powers…for Quincey or his four siblings…far exceeds the parents’ expectations. The children are separated, for their own protection, for 20 years. In the present, the siblings are reunited, having long forgotten their parents, their powers and each other, to save the world. “Genesis” is the story of when five strangers must become family…and then heroes.

Registered with the Library of Congress (LOC) and the Writers Guild of America-west (WGAw)
WGA#: 1150111 / LOC# PAu3-101-890

For more about "Genesis"
www.youtube.com/watch... ("Genesis" Concept Video Teaser )
www.youtube.com/watch... (About "Genesis")
www.facebook.com/group.php... ("Genesis" Facebook Group/Fan Page)

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Project By

Teresa Dowell-Vest

Los Angeles, CA

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Terésa Dowell-Vest is a three time Geoffrey Award (Santa Monica Theatre Guild) winning
director and a NAACP Theatre Award nominee.

Director, writer, actor (Stage and Film),
Production Designer (Film), Dowell-Vest has worked on stages and in films in New York City, Virginia, and Los Angeles. She recently served as the Production Designer on numerous feature films: “7eventy5ive” (2006, Brian Hooks, Rutger Hauer), “Flip the Script” (2005, Miguel Nunez, Jr., Robin Givens), “Wifey” (2005, Brian Hooks, Jazsmin Lewis), and “Showstoppers” (2007).

In 1999 wrote Vinegar Hill, a play commissioned by Live Arts Theatre in her hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. Vinegar Hill was reviewed by the Pulitzer Prize board in 2001.