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Calvin J Walker

@caldirects

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Father. Writer. Director. Casting Director. Acting Coach.
2026 Sanctuary Artist in Residence @artsmission

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

First Time After. A study of the beauty and pain of reconciliation after adultery.

This piece was my first opportunity to work with Spent Token director @caldirects and the first time I had produced a project beyond what I’d written back in 2018.

I still remember watching the rough cut and being blown away by how raw and emotional it felt—a story told through its characters' facial expressions with minimal dialogue.

I’m proud to have played a small part in something so special ✨

Starring:

@thenikkidixon
@dragonking_tv

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We just hit 10% of our film, Spent Token’s campaign goal! 🥹🥹🥹

I’m not gonna lie, I had no clue where that first dollar was gonna come from 😂 but this journey has been such a great learning experience.

And I apologize to the ones I came in too hot and eager with at the beginning. I was still getting my messaging down lol we can still chat though 😅
#spenttoken

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If you’ve been following our journey, you know that our first two years were spent outside. Year Three was our first year inside the beautiful St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, and we were so excited!

This was also the year I began to see the bigger picture of what Celebrating Warriors was becoming.

When I first started Celebrating Warriors, my goal was simply to give people a space to share their testimonies and celebrate how far they had come. I didn’t fully realize the impact those stories would have on others. Hearing someone share what they’ve survived can give another person the strength and encouragement to believe, “If they made it through that, I can make it through what I’m facing, too.”

The feedback we received about how impactful and encouraging the event was helped me see that Celebrating Warriors was becoming more than I had initially imagined. People weren’t just listening to stories; they were finding hope, strength, and encouragement in them.

And then came another moment that truly touched me.

The cost of the facility was more than I had available, and I honestly didn’t know how I was going to cover it. But an anonymous donor, someone I still don’t know to this day, paid our rental fee in full. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Someone had heard about Celebrating Warriors and believed in what we were doing enough to make that kind of contribution.

That moment felt like a stamp of approval—a reminder that this was good work, that we were making a difference, and that Celebrating Warriors was growing into something people needed.

I’m so grateful for my friends, family, and everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Every year has taught me something, but Year Three helped me see the bigger picture. It made this journey even more humbling and meaningful because I began to understand that Celebrating Warriors wasn’t just something I wanted to create. It was something people truly desired, and something that was needed.

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This short film, I Care About You… But, is the first time Spent Token’s attached director, @caldirects and I had the opportunity to work together from script to screen.

It was such a wonderful experience that taught me so much as a screenwriter and filmmaker. I look forward to replicating this kind of magic soon ✨

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The FIRST SHOW IS COMPLETE! So excited this show is coming to life!! Thank you so much to @jubileetheatre, the brilliant director and my brother, @caldirects. The entire cast and crew for bringing Mrs. Carlean’s story to life. I can’t wait to be apart of the experience on 10/9! Everyone please support not only this incredible story but this historic theatre and PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW!! #livinglegend #livingmydreams #blackplaywright #blackwriters #blacktheatre

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Our film fundraising campaign has been live for about 3 weeks and though it’s been quite thee learning experience, I’m extremely grateful for our start! Shout out to everyone who’s contributed thus far!

And to my realtor friends, my fault for having y'all think I’m about to sell one of your listings when I’m reaching out 🥹🤣 but come get this write-off 👀

If you’re interested in contributing, click the link in my bio or shoot me a DM. Then like, comment, and share this video 🙏🏾

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Arthur “Daddy” Braggs (played by Calvin Gabriel)

Big boss. THE man. The entertainment producer, promoter, and night club manager who brought the Idlewild Revue to life during the 1950s and 1960s at the Paradise Club in Idlewild, Michigan. Braggs’ Idlewild Revue entertained Black vacationers from far and wide and showcased stars such as Della Reese, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr, Etta James, and many more. Braggs’ Revue also included the Fiesta Dolls, including the legendary Carlean Gill 💃✨

“I’ll Be Damned If…” begins THIS FRIDAY — purchase your tickets NOW at jubileetheatre.org! 🎟️

#IllBeDamnedIf #ArthurDaddyBraggs #CarleanGill #IdlewildRevue #FiestaDolls

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Part 2 of the “I’ll Be Damned If…” photoshoot 📸

Let’s hear it for the men of “I’ll Be Damned If…”! They came in and KILLED! See these characters on stage starting THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 2nd! The world premiere is here!

Purchase your tickets NOW at jubileetheatre.org! 🎟️

#IllBeDamnedIf #ArthurDaddyBraggs #IdlewildRevue #CarleanGill #DFWTheatre

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Ladies and gentlemen, Carlean Gill ✨

Carlean is a young girl, dreaming of a life beyond Detroit’s 8 Mile. She finds an exciting journey with the famed Arthur Braggs’ Idlewild Revue. As she joins the show as one of its glamorous Fiesta Dolls, she discovers her talents, finds her voice, and falls in love. Her life after the Revue is just as riveting as she continues to find her identity, voice and true strength.

“I’ll Be Damned If…” is a little over A WEEK AWAY! Get your tickets NOW at jubileetheatre.org! 🎟️

Thank you LeightVision Productions, LLC (leightvision.com) for these amazing photos!

#IllBeDamnedIf #CarleanGill #IdlewildRevue #DFWTheatre #SundanceSquare

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Yes, the posts, texts, and DMs you’ve seen are true, we are making a movie in DFW. 🥹🎥

This past spring I pitched a story idea to some very talented filmmaking brothers of mine, @caldirects and @a.neely , entitled “Spent Token.”

What started as an IG message has now gone from treatment, to script (written by me!), to budgeting, to securing a fiscal sponsorship, to a campaign to raise donations for the remaining half of our budget needs.

Spent Token follows a struggling Black Podcaster who pivots from sports to anti-Black content in hopes of major financial gain.

It’s a story about the grift and rage-bait era we find ourselves in. But beyond that, it’s about an environment that allows this toxic culture to thrive.

As a child of immigrants raised by a village, community is all I’ve ever known. And it is my belief that inheriting this communal spirit is what will allow us to thrive collectively.

My hope is that you will join us not only in getting this movie made, but in helping us push the conversation forward with a future local screening.

Whether this story resonates or you’re just looking for a tax write-off, ANY size donation is humbly appreciated. And if donating monetarily isn’t in the cards, I would love a warm introduction to anyone or any organization you think would be a great connection.

LINK IN BIO!

And as always, thank you for being in community with me 🙏🏾

#Spenttoken #tokenblack

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Production Team Announcement! 🗣️

Meet the creative minds behind the upcoming production, “I’ll Be Damned If…”! From the director to the sound designer, Jubilee is stacked with talent, so of course we don’t want you to miss any part of the creative process. Stay tuned for rehearsal BTS, the evolution of the set, and so much more leading up to the world premiere! 🎬🎨🎭

Purchase your tickets NOW at jubileetheatre.org! 🎟️

#IllBeDamnedIf #IdlewildRevue #DFWTheatre #SupportTheArts #LiveTheatre

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Meet the cast of “I’ll Be Damned If…”! 🎭

Faces you’ve seen before and some new to Jubilee’s stage, this cast is ready to give you all a show! We are 3 weeks and 3 days from the world premiere and opening night is almost sold out — purchase your tickets NOW at jubileetheatre.org! 🎟️

#IllBeDamnedIf #WorldPremiere #NewWorks #DFWTheatre #SupportTheArts

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