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It Takes a Woman  By  cover art

It Takes a Woman

By: DeVon Franklin
Narrated by: DeVon Franklin, Aunt Nuna, Aunt Ida, Aunt Enis, Aunt Donna, Aunt Sondra, Paulette Franklin
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Publisher's summary

There’s an African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child”. Hollywood producer and best-selling author DeVon Franklin offers a personal twist: It Takes a Woman. In this riveting and soul-stirring Audible Original, Franklin introduces us to the women who raised him—a “village of love” that selflessly came together to shape him into the man he is today. 

For the first time publicly, Franklin and his family discuss the aftermath of his father’s untimely death and the despair that could have destroyed their future. It Takes a Woman offers listeners an emotional journey of tragedy, triumph, and healing as Franklin, his mother, and his five living great-aunts recall how the women heeded the call to help raise him and his two brothers. The candid conversation—covering everything from marriage, death, divorce, and regret to colorfully frank advice about dating, sex, and money—uncovers old wounds that are still fresh and pain that is still piercing, as well as a family bond that is unbreakable. 

The women’s willingness to open their hearts and souls elevates this listen beyond simple memoir. Guided by their faith, they share decades of hard-earned life experiences and inspiring lessons. It’s the foundation of love and communication that nurtured Franklin and his brothers, and one that will inspire listeners to embrace this village as their own.

It Takes a Woman, one family’s true story of hope, faith, and resilience, honors the sacrifices of a remarkable village of Black women as experienced through the eyes of a Black man. It’s also a universal celebration of the power of women to alter and enrich the lives they touch. 

©2022 DeVon Franklin (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

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About the Creator and Performer

Named by Variety as one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch" and by Oprah as "a different kind of spiritual teacher," DeVon Franklin is a Hollywood producer and New York Times bestselling author blazing his own unique trail with an unwavering commitment to uplifting the human spirit through entertainment.
DeVon serves as President and CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a dynamic production company that has first-look deals with Paramount Pictures and CBS TV Studios. He’s the driving force behind some of Hollywood’s most successful inspirational films including Breakthrough, Miracles from Heaven, and the soon to be released movie Flamin’ Hot for Disney, plus the TV series Kingdom Business for BET.
In addition to his work as a producer, DeVon is also the author of multiple bestselling books such as The Success Commandments and his new Audible Original, It Takes a Woman, which is a deeply personal look into the tragedy that transformed his family’s life forever.
DeVon serves the greater Hollywood community at large as Vice President of the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. DeVon is a graduate of the University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles.

DeVon Franklin Answers the Audible Questionnaire

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What listeners say about It Takes a Woman

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Great lessons!

Excellent! I really enjoyed this story. Great message. I highly recommend this story, you won’t be disappointed.

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Appropriately defers to the Scriptures

I enjoyed getting into the mind of how other people handle loss. Does point to the Bible how to handle tirals.

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An honest insightful read about family dynamics

This was the telling of the family story and how it helped to shape the author and other family members into whole, complete and beautiful people. The learning of boundaries, self care, grace and peace stood out to me as the aunties spoke their truths.

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Incredible!!!

What a beautiful view into DeVon’s village.

Such an incredible tale of how what cards ones is dealt with can define their lives depending on how they choose to use them.

I am more confident that my girls are set up to a great start with the village I have created around us.

What a beautiful beautiful family!!!

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Captivating story

What an emotional and captivating story. I found myself bonding with each person and wishing I could hear more of each story. The book is filled with shocking congruencies and twists and turns in each aunt’s experience and how that shaped them, which in turn shaped the next generation. It made me reflect on my own experience and shed some tears. I have to capture my family’s stories in this same way!

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A Beautiful Curation of Life Lessons

I loved it. Hearing their voices made their experiences come alive. I felt each one.

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faith prayer

love it as a single mother of a young man this has brought so much joy to my soul ❤️

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Delightful and Inspirational

How many of us would have preferred not to have learned life's lessons the hard way? The author and his brothers had a village of aunts and other extended church family who shared honestly about their experiences in order to sometimes prevent them from making the same mistakes. All of tnem share their stories along tne way in such a sincere manner . Thoroughly enjoyed all the way through.

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Superb! Thi

I enjoyed this story immensely. They were so transparent! Thus story is healing and should be told across the global. It is a story that can cover many races!! Bravo Devon!!! Bravo!!

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Heartwarming

This heartwarming collection of memories & lessons learned brought back memories from my own family and emphasized my love & appreciation for them!

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