CAU alum Lekeith Jones’s short film ‘Urgency’ has surpassed 800,000 views on YouTube, making it one of the platform’s most watched Black short films. He and his producing team, all AUC graduates, are giving alumni the chance to come on board as executive producers for their next short film, Scammers. You can join by donating through the link in @_dashawnj bio.
This gripping short film follows a young man who comes to realize that society itself is a scam. The “luxury” lifestyles flaunted by influencers are built on scams, our jobs exploit us like scams, and the system at large is designed to keep us struggling, living paycheck to paycheck.
Framed as a grounded cousin of The Matrix with inspiration from Hackers (1995) and Training Day (2002), the film confronts how exploitation shapes American life. It asks whether the real scammers are people forced to the margins or the very institutions that thrive on their labor. The story unfolds through the Black experience, exposing the weight of capitalism, inequality, and exploitation.
The Indiegogo campaign for Scammers is running for the next 30 days, and the team is inviting supporters to help bring this urgent story to the screen 🙌🏾 #CAU #HBCU #clarkatl
Proud of our short film surpassing 900,000 views on YouTube. It’s in the top 1% of short films on the platform. Grateful to every collaborator who trusted me with the vision and helped bring it to life, and to everyone who supported us along the way. All glory to God for making this possible. Our stories matter. Dreaming In Color 🎞️.
We’re currently casting upcoming actors to be apart of an innovative party/lounge scene for our short film, SCAMMERS. The film is being shot in Los Angeles and the scene will be this Saturday evening. We’ll have free food and beverages for everyone. Be apart of something special 🎞️
Ayyyy, humbled to be featured in the Los Angeles Sentinel, the largest Black-owned newspaper in the nation. They done put ya boy on the same page as Kehlani 😂. I’ve never had the chance to make a film with a real budget, but my community made it possible. With more than 120 backers and a new EP on board, “Scammers” is officially greenlit and heading into production. Thank you to everybody who’s been rocking with us. You’re in for something special. Dreaming In Color 🎞️
Truly grateful to be featured in @ebonymagazine . To be acknowledged by a platform that has celebrated Black excellence for generations means more than words can express. I remember being in my dorm room not too long ago, stressed and determined, just trying to finish my first film. Four days left in our crowdfunding campaign for the third one, pushing to the finish line. Dreaming In Color 🎨🎞️.
HBCU filmmakers from Clark Atlanta University are filming the first HBCU sitcom in over 40 years! 🎓🔥
Their Set It Off inspired film “Urgency” just reached 800k views and now they’re back
This historic project will bring a modern-day HBCU love story to life — celebrating Black love, Black success, Black joy, and Black culture in a generation that needs it most. ❤️
Filming takes place lin Atlanta, with casting opening November 12th.
🎬 All actors and actresses are welcome to audition.
DM @stephong_309 , @_dashawnj_ , or @culturecentral_ now to get first dibs on the official casting call and follow them to follow the journey.
History is being made — and it’s happening at an HBCU. ✊🏽 #hbcu #cau #hbcubuzz
I’ve dreamed of making this project ever since I stepped into the real world. It feels especially relevant now with the state of our economy, DEI, and Hollywood, all revealing how working-class people, especially people of color, are often left to navigate systems built to exploit them.
Logline: After being scammed out of his savings, A young man seeks help from his seemingly successful cousin, only to uncover a deception more complex than he ever imagined.
We’re aiming to raise $25,000 with 26 days left in our campaign, and every single contribution moves us closer to that goal. Every dollar goes straight into bringing this story to life. Whether it’s $1 or $1000, your support fuels the future of Black storytelling.
Shoutout to every single backer who has supported our crowdfunding campaign so far. Your love and belief in this project truly mean the world.
Every gesture of support, whether it is a dollar, a share, or simply passing the word along, carries real weight. It all helps bring this vision to life and we’re deeply grateful 🙌🏾🎞️.
Building on the success of his YouTube short film Urgency, Emerging Writer/Director Lekeith Jones is raising funds for his upcoming social thriller, ‘Scammers.’
The short film follows Ryan Bailey, a young man who loses his savings in a scam and turns to his seemingly successful cousin for assistance, only to discover a deception more complexed than he ever imagined.
The project has been characterized as a grounded cousin of The Matrix and draws inspiration from Hackers (1995) and Training Day (2002). At the heart of the story, the film examines the cycles of exploitation that define American life and asks if the real scammers are those surviving at the margins or the system that created those margins. The film explores modern-day capitalism, systemic inequality, and labor exploitation in America through the lens of the Black experience.
The Indiegogo campaign for Scammers is now live, with the campaign concluding on October 20, 2025. The team is calling on supporters to help bring this powerful story to life.
