It Takes a Woman

By: DeVon Franklin

Narrated by: DeVon Franklin, Aunt Nuna, Aunt Ida, Aunt Enis, Aunt Donna, Aunt Sondra, Paulette Franklin

Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

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.

Beautiful and inspirational

Devon Franklin tells an inspirational story (or stories) about how women in his life helped shape him into the man he is today. It is beautiful to also hear their voices retell their family's history and stories.

Do not listen to the hateful reviews. Devon Franklin is a pastor and producer known for the movie, "Heaven is Real." Hardly leftist.

It is disturbing that people did not listen to this, saw a cover with a Black man surrounded by Black women elders and assumed this was leftist propaganda. Sheer ignorance among other things.

Listen if you want to hear a story of an American family, one of many different stories that make us who we are. If this is not your cup of tea, so be it, but please give zero credence to one star reviews of people who didn't listen and judged a book by its cover and politicized something needlessly.

great read! 📚

i truly was only interested in this book because of all the bad reviews. Now that I've finished it, I can say that they were wrong.
Yes, there is one chapter on being a black man in America but that's it.
There is no great big leftist ideology, it's a great story that reminded me to be grateful for my upbringing and the villages we all have.

Thoughtful and thought provoking

Loved the story, the inner reflection of the author, and the lessons presented. We know it "takes a village," but a village of women is essential.

Excellent Excellent Excellent

I read/ listen to at least two books a week. This beautiful story hit all of my emotions. I had to stop and grab tissue, I was either crying or laughing. What a amazing village the author has and kudos for sharing.

Worth listening…

Firstly, thanks for sharing your realities!

I experienced an overwhelming nudge from the Holy Spirit as I listened the first 2 chapters; a burden to pray for my future husband, my father, my only brother and the women in my family.

It takes a Woman adds to the conversation of the often unspoken pain children feel from witnessing a parent suffering with alcoholism. Yet this book reminds us of the love of a woman. It’s so empowering, it’s progressive as she too, learns how to love, as life changes.

This book offers no fluff or exaggeration; it’s just a powerful recollection of real experiences, loss, gains and healing. Like our biological relatives, the love from our church family members is equally important and transformative, in our wholistic development.

Thank you mothers, mamas, aunties and sisters; friends.

soooo good!

wow! many lessons in here. thank you all for keeping it so real. we need the visual now!

Love's labour Not lost

An African proverb says ' you strike a woman, you strike a rock'. The bedrock of this family may be mostly women, but this story is about family. The struggles of a broken marriage, single parenthood, addiction, death, love lost and found is oh so relatable . I love how through it all, faith is sustained and preserved. There is a continued hope of redemption bolstered by the strength, courage and wisdom of the village. Hearing them tell their story in their own words is so impactful and makes you feel part of this beautiful circle of love. I loved every chapter of It takes A Woman.

loved it

beautifully written and narrated. heart warming and inspiring. I could listen to this over again.

leftist blm narrative. proud conservative

leftist garbage, funny out of all the selections on audible. the very first recommendation I get is this leftist propaganda

Mixed feelings

One man's experience.

Not what everyone can relate to.

The author shares his experience, which is fine for him and those who can relate. It feels like he writes hoping that he'll catch the current zeitgeist and make money. Perhaps that's OK, but I felt my time would have been better utilized listening to a lot of other things.

Identified

I identified with this book as a divorced black SDA professional from humble beginnings who was raised by her grandmother. I loved the input from the aunts which added to the aithencity of the stories being told. I would love to speak to the author Thank you Devon xx🙏🏾

Inspirational

It was a very inspirational story of strong people ,lovely full of strength hope

Exceptional

Wise and heart warming stories, so real, so honest. Truly grateful for the opportunity to hear such powerful yet difficult stories. I really appreciate how authentic they were about relationships letting us know that marriage really doesn't solve all your problems.

Touched

I didn’t really know what to expect but I was drawn to this book and it has touched my heart being a single mother of a teenage boy who can be very stubborn cutting off ny nose to spite my face.
My village is bigger than I could imagine, I hope it’s not too late to call on them.

so relatable

parts of this were straight out of my life. from the alcoholism, to being the "other child" .. so much hurt (like your mom) that can't be addressed because one doesn't want to hurt the person who did what they could...
I laughed at the similarity of how the church raises black children. sabbath school was my first "public speaking " appointment and teaching moment. the story was honest and heartfelt. it resonated with me in sooo many ways. thank you for sharing it with us

Absolutely 💯 💯 amazing book

Devon has never disappoint, love the Village! so much wisdom ✨️ 🙌🏾 sounds like my aunties back in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

Great listen

Listened to this on a road trip with my wife. We thoroughly enjoy it.

How Incredible

Honestly being privy to this incredible show of commitment and love from mother to children. This story of resilience and family is truly powerful.

From sadness to laughter this short work takes you through real life women of valour who openly, powerfully share their stories in a way that guides and nurtures the younger generation.

I feel so blessed to have listened to this and I know this is something I will Come back to over and over again. I feel proud of the triumph and inspired by the messages and warmed by the love. Devon gives us a piece of his heart, his family and in doing so will provide hope and solace to someone feeling alone, someone only able to view their situation through a lens of disappointment and sadness will have this to use as hope and reassurance that everything can work together for your good.

Thank you Devon for sharing this story and giving such incredible women a voice so we can feel proud of the women or village in our lives who have also played a significant role in who we are today and who we grow to become.

Thank you for you venerability and your honesty. I truly believe you will have such a wonderful family one day who get to benefit from the seeds that were planted in your from your village. 💕