Meet Tommie Green | Award-Winning Filmmaker, YouTube Pioneer & Founder of WhiteWood Entertainment

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tommie Green and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tommie, what do you attribute your success to?
My success hasn’t come from having all the answers—
It’s come from the courage to move before the world understands the vision.

I study patterns. I move with logic.
But the decisions that changed my life weren’t always calculated.
I take risks when they matter.

Some of my most defining moves—founding WhiteWood Entertainment,
creating viral content before YouTube was even taken seriously—
were driven by nothing but pure faith and instinct.

On the road to success, not everything went my way.
When everything falls apart, I remind myself: I’ve already survived worse.
And as long as I’m alive, that’s all the motivation I need to keep moving.

People rarely understand new ideas when they first appear.
Sometimes, success just means you were ahead of your time.
Stay loyal to the vision—even when it’s lonely.
Never quit.

To build WhiteWood, I’ve sacrificed nearly everything:
Time. Comfort. Money. Relationships. Even sleep.
It’s more than a brand—it’s who I am.

Now, I create not just for the legacy of WhiteWood,
but for the future of my children,
for the city of Highland Park,
and for the next wave of filmmakers who don’t have access—
but do have the talent.

I hope my work inspires them—
to dream bigger, create louder, and never wait for permission.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is that I make films that challenge belief systems and bend expectations. From supernatural thrillers to gritty dramas, every WhiteWood project is designed to make people feel something—and question everything. My work has earned millions of views, multiple “Best of Show” awards, and international recognition. But what I’m most proud of is how I’ve evolved without ever losing my edge. I’ve stayed true to my artistic integrity without exploiting it—and I’ve maintained full creative control every step of the way.

I didn’t wait for Hollywood. I didn’t wait for permission. I taught myself how to become a filmmaker, founded WhiteWood Entertainment, and carved my own lane—from YouTube virality to festival wins to community respect. It wasn’t easy. I’ve faced financial setbacks, burnout, rejection, and silence. But I’m the comeback king—I know how to build from nothing and bounce back from anything. I trust divine timing and I keep the faith.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? People won’t believe until you make them believe. Don’t worry about who’s watching—focus on what you can control. Move with faith. Move with discipline. You won’t have to chase the dream—build your own gravity, and it will find you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve actually hosted friends from across the country to experience for the first time Detroit before—and I’ve gotta say, they always leave impressed. We start with Coney Island, no question. Detroit One on Woodward is my go-to. The food hits every time, you can literally taste the history of the city!

Then we shift gears. The Detroit Institute of Arts is easily one of my favorite places! It’s calm, focused, powerful. That building holds more than art—it holds legacy. The Rivera mural alone is a masterclass in labor, rebellion, and storytelling. It’s the type of space that feeds the soul, especially for creatives like me.

And when it’s time to elevate the energy, we hit the water. Jet Skiing on the Detroit River from Belle Isle is one of my favorite pastimes. Our river is a hidden luxury. The sun setting with the skyline behind you—even just cruising on a boat out there feels cinematic every time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shirley Ann Green was a modest, dependable, generous woman—but everything around her worked simply because she was there. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, she moved to Highland Park as a child and raised two sons with discipline and intention. After starting a family, she built trucks at Daimler Chrysler for over 15 years.
She never let struggle define her. She taught me—through example—how to work hard, stay sharp, and fall in love with learning.

She was a true Highland Parker—graduated from Highland Park High School, earned her associate’s degree from Highland Park College. She believed in education. She believed in creativity. And most of all, she believed in me.
She drove me to art camps, supported my college dreams, and showed up at my film festivals before anyone knew my name. She stood in the background of my success long before the spotlight ever hit.

When I became a father, she didn’t just support me—she stepped in.
She helped raise her grandkids with the same structure and care that shaped me.
I held her hand when she passed from cancer in 2023. But her presence never left.
Her fingerprints are still on my life, my children, and my work.
WhiteWood simply wouldn’t exist without her.
That’s why I dedicate this to my mother, Shirley.

Website: https://www.TommieGreen.com

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/TommieGreenFan

Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/TommieGreen