By Shaniece Nicole (IG: @shaniece_nicole_)
LOS ANGELES, CA – At the intersection of growth and faith is where creativity lies. The ability to stretch beyond measures and cultivate a space for truth and storytelling is an attribute that is deeply coveted by every human being. A very small percentage of people have been brave enough to heal in public.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books accomplished a goal this past weekend that so many other entities are attempting to foster, and that is to provide a safe-space for artists to share their truth.
More than ever, people are in search of their place in the world. Their means to liberation is through identifying. Authors like DeVon Franklin, a New York Times Best Seller, movie producer, and motivational speaker are immensely transparent about their inner work, family, and faith. Franklin’s recent audio-only memoir, It Takes a Woman, is nothing short of hope, faith and resilience.
Twenty-two years after graduating from USC, where Franklin shared a stage with actress Erika Alexander (best known for her role as Maxine from the 90’s sitcom “Living Single”) to unpack his latest works, he explains that there is nothing but love in every single syllable of this book. He and the nostalgic actress would be in communion over dialogue and transparency.
The audible tributes the sacrifices that were made by his mother (Paulette) and great aunts: Nuna, Sondra, Enis, Ida, and Donna. Voice by voice, listeners will feel a sense of community and connectivity to all of the powerful Black women who have impacted Franklin’s life. These women, DeVon’s village, have designed a “new type” of commonplace for Black men to rest. On the opposite side of trauma, which is somewhere Franklin has been resting since his father’s death, black men will find strength (Paulette), youth (Nuna), education (Enis), faith (Ida), excellence (Sondra), and nurturing (Donna).
In every voice, there is a truth that sparks familiarity as if Franklin was lending you his family for a couple hours. The truth always feels familiar, comforting, and like a letter from home. Franklin is more open, comfortable, and transparent than he’s ever been.
It Takes a Woman is available now on Audible. Click on the link below!
https://www.audible.com/pd/It-Takes-a-Woman-Audiobook/B09X2532V7
