Alonge Hawes’ upcoming drama series continues its early momentum with an official selection at the 8th annual New Jersey Web Festival.
Alonge Hawes’ upcoming drama series Good Black Man has been named an official selection of the 8th annual New Jersey Web Festival, marking another milestone for the filmmaker and his independent production banner.
The selection also marks the fourth consecutive year that an Alonge Hawes-produced project will screen at the respected festival, continuing a run of recognition for Hawes’ work as a creator, writer, director, producer, and performer.
The announcement follows the earlier unveiling of Good Black Man, which arrived with a synopsis, poster, and teaser trailer ahead of its planned fall 2026 premiere.
Good Black Man Joins NJ Webfest Lineup
Good Black Man was announced as part of a live New Jersey Web Festival selection reveal led by festival runners Neem Basha, Michael Lieder, Ned Donovan, and Katie Browe.
The upcoming series was named alongside other official selections, including Illuminagents, Rosemary Street, and The Adventures of the Fox in The Fedora.
For Hawes, the selection adds another festival chapter to a growing body of work rooted in independent storytelling, character-driven drama, and stories that explore identity, responsibility, and purpose.
A Story of Survival, Reinvention, and Purpose
Good Black Man follows Olujimi Spencer, a man attempting to rebuild his life after losing his job and being dumped by his girlfriend on the same day.
Broke and running out of options, Olujimi makes a quick decision to enroll in college using his military veteran benefits as a financial lifeline. What begins as a desperate attempt to stay afloat soon becomes something more meaningful.
Once he steps onto campus, Olujimi discovers that the choice born out of survival may be the very thing that helps him pursue his greatest goal: becoming a good Black man.
The series centers on reinvention, fatherhood, accountability, education, and the complicated work of becoming whole again after life breaks open all at once.
Alonge Hawes Leads the Series Onscreen and Behind the Camera
Hawes created, wrote, and directed Good Black Man and stars in the lead role as Olujimi Spencer.
Adrian “Pnut” Steward, Alex Patterson, and Shani Hawes have also been announced as series regulars. Nine-year-old Amina Hawes will make her acting debut opposite her father, playing Olujimi’s onscreen daughter, Amina Spencer.
Steward plays Keandra Gilbert, Olujimi’s ex and the mother of his young daughter. Shani Hawes and Patterson portray Saphia Newnan and Khalil Franklin, Olujimi’s best friends and closest confidantes.
The series is executive produced by Alonge Hawes through A Million Stories One Pen Productions. Eduardo Bryant and Mary Bouche also serve as executive producers, with Joshua Dennard, Cordarol Sanders, and Shani Hawes serving as producers.
Following the Success of Silver & Gold
Good Black Man arrives as the follow-up to Hawes’ critically acclaimed series Silver & Gold, which launched its first season in 2022 on Jaro Media.
Silver & Gold earned Hawes the award for Best Director in a Thriller at the New Jersey Webfest and was a two-time winner for Best Series Script at the Minnesota Webfest.
With Good Black Man, Hawes appears to be building on that momentum while moving into a grounded drama about a veteran, a father, and a man searching for a better version of himself.
New Jersey Webfest Continues to Spotlight Independent Creators
Created by Neem Basha, the New Jersey Web Festival launched in 2018 and has grown into one of the most respected festivals dedicated to independent creators working across web series, podcasts, pilots, scripts, trailers, and music videos.
The festival has built a reputation for championing independent filmmakers and digital storytellers from across the country and abroad. Its long-standing adage, “Quality Is the Only Criteria: We Want To Showcase The Very Best,” reflects its focus on storytelling craft and creator-driven work.
The 8th annual New Jersey Web Festival is scheduled to take place Sept. 24-27, 2026, with screenings of official selections held at The Clairidge Theater in Montclair, New Jersey.
Follow Jaro Magazine for more updates on Good Black Man as the series moves toward its fall 2026 premiere.
