Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Woman overcomes obstacles and help others; violence, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In GIVING HOPE: THE NI'COLA MITCHELL STORY, Mitchell (Tatyana Ali) is a Jamaican-born single mom and self-published author enjoying her daughters (Kudakwashe Rutendo and Mikalah Reid-Beckette) and living a good life. In this fictionalized version of her life, a chance meeting with a book-loving young girl inspires her to create a program to help young Black girls who, like herself (a survivor of domestic violence and rape, and a mom at age 15), came from difficult family circumstances. Out of this generous impulse and, with the help of dedicated volunteers, came the non-profit Girls Who Brunch, a series of events designed to raise low self-esteem in this selected cohort. Donations did not cover the expense of putting on a fun brunch party with food, music and swag bags for 20-30 girls in the Charleston, S.C., area so Mitchell funded the rest at her own expense. That first successful event grew into an organization in many cities that has given at least one uplifting afternoon to thousands of girls, according to the movie. Current stats suggest her organization has touched the lives of more than 40,000 girls in the U.S.
Is It Any Good?
It would be so wonderful if Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story were a good movie. The achievements of the real person it profiles—a seemingly generous, talented, civic-minded, philanthropic writer—merits a good movie. But this is not that. Even when touting Mitchell's achievements—we are often told she is a "best-selling" author—the film does a bad job at explaining how extraordinary her achievements actually are. The organization she founded, Girls Who Brunch, has helped thousands of what the movie calls "disadvantaged" girls aged 9 to 17 to navigate such challenges as bullying, low self-esteem, limited access to opportunity, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, trafficking, racism, misogyny, and life in and after foster care. Based on information in the movie and online, it appears her devotion to raising up young Black girls and enabling them to fulfill their full educational and life potential would be enough to make Mitchell an extraordinary figure.
Yet the script and the actress who plays her give little depth. There's almost no explanation of how after a successful first event, with little to no funds to create new events, she somehow manages to launch other brunches around the country. More important, apart from, "Our girls deserve to love on themselves," there is little explanation of how a great dance party can help girls overcome their obstacles. Without those details, we're left to imagine that a dance party with perhaps a presentation by a speaker on STEM opportunities can just magically changes girls' lives. The biggest disservice is a script that delivers a list of characters—her sister, two daughters, a teacher, her childhood Upward Bound director and mentor—who repeatedly nod with knowing smiles as they tell Mitchell (and therefore us) how amazing she is. It feels too much like Mitchell herself, an executive producer at Lifetime Movie Network (which produced the movie), is telling us how great she is. Someone as accomplished as Mitchell doesn't need to boast to anyone. She's already earned our respect by living her amazing life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why some people who have worked hard and succeeded against great odds may reach a moment in life when they want to help others who are struggling as they did.
What qualities and traits does Mitchell display that make her the kind of person who might want to motivate others to achieve their goals?
Mitchell had to overcome lots of rejection in her life to finish school, write books, and create a helpful organization. How do you think facing obstacles in early life prepares one to get past obstacles later?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 9, 2023
- Cast : Tatyana Ali , Kadakwashe Rutendo , Nadine Roden
- Director : Alpha Nicky
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Netflix , Lifetime
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism ( Racial justice )
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : April 7, 2026
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