Kenya Ware Films Announces Crip: The Boy Who Built An Army – A Powerful Documentary Shedding Light on the Legacy of Raymond Washington and the Rise of the Crips

Kenya Ware Films is proud to announce the upcoming release of Crip: The Boy Who Built An Army, a deeply compelling and thought-provoking documentary that explores the origins of one of the most notorious street organizations in history—the Crips—through the life of its teenage founder, Raymond Washington.

Set for a limited theatrical release in late summer 2025, this gripping documentary takes an unflinching look at the social, economic, and political conditions that led to the creation of the Crips and the unintended consequences of a movement born out of a desire for unity and protection.

Raymond Washington, just 14 years old when he founded the Crips in Los Angeles, became the architect of a gang that would ultimately change the landscape of American urban life. 

Through rare archival footage, exclusive interviews, and intimate narratives from those who knew Raymond best, Crip: The Boy Who Built An Army gives voice to the people most affected by gang culture while humanizing Washington, showing how his vision evolved from a desire for peace into an entity that would ultimately spark generations of conflict.

Kenya Ware, the visionary behind the film, is an industry veteran with a resume that includes critically acclaimed projects such as Shameless, King Richard, and Straight Outta Compton. 

Ware brings her extensive experience to this powerful narrative, working alongside director Jaron Marquis—whose credits include Bosco and Werewolves—to craft a film that challenges preconceived notions about gang culture and its origins.

“This is a story that has never been told in this way before,” says Kenya Ware,founder of Kenya Ware Films. “Raymond Washington’s vision was rooted in the hope of uniting his community, but it spiraled into something much larger and far more complex than anyone could have imagined. 

We are telling this story with respect, peeling back the layers of history and humanizing Raymond in a way that has never been done before. 

This documentary is not about glorifying gang culture—it’s about understanding its roots, its consequences, and how a young boy’s desire for unity turned into a movement that shook the world.”

The film also highlights the invaluable contributions of Raymond Washington’s mother, who, before her passing at the age of 93, entrusted Kenya with the responsibility of telling her son’s story. 

Her unwavering faith in Ware was a key motivation for Ware to bring Raymond’s story to the world with authenticity and integrity.

“Raymond’s mother called me her 6th child and trusted me with her son’s legacy,” Ware reflects. “She believed in me to tell the truth, and I’ve honored that trust. This film is a tribute to Raymond’s vision, to his mother’s sacrifices, and to the community that both nurtured and was affected by his journey.”

With a focus on Raymond Washington’s legacy, Crip: The Boy Who Built An Army seeks to spark important conversations about the systemic issues that contribute to gang culture and the impact of such organizations on communities around the world. 

The film also aims to create space for dialogue and healing by bringing together former gang members, community leaders, and activists who are dedicated to fostering peace and understanding.

As part of the film’s release, Kenya Ware Films has partnered with community organizations in South Central, Long Beach, and Compton to support outreach programs that provide resources, education, and safe spaces for discussion.

Crip: The Boy Who Built An Army will premiere in select theaters in late summer 2025, with plans for digital and streaming distribution to follow.

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