The Mother of Black Hollywood
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Jenifer Lewis
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Written by:
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Jenifer Lewis
About this listen
AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner
The "Mega Diva" and legendary star of Black-ish looks back on her memorable journey to fame and the unforgettable life lessons she learned along the way.
Jenifer Lewis keeps it real in this provocative and touching memoir by a Midwestern girl with a dream whose journey from poverty to Hollywood will move, shock, and inspire listeners.
Told in the audacious voice her fans adore, Jenifer describes a road to fame made treacherous by dysfunction and undiagnosed mental illness, including a sex addiction. Yet, supported by loving friends and strengthened by "inner soldiers", Jenifer never stopped entertaining and creating.
We watch as Jenifer develops icon status stemming from a series of legendary screen roles as the sassy yet loveable mama or auntie. And we watch as her emotional disturbances, culminating in a breakdown while filming The Temptations movie, launch her on a continuing search for answers, love, and healing.
Written with no-holds-barred honesty, this gripping memoir is filled with insights gained through a unique life that offers a universal message: "Love yourself so that love will not be a stranger when it comes."
From her first taste of applause at five years old to landing on Broadway within 11 days of graduation and ultimately achieving success in movies, television, and global concert halls, Jenifer reveals her outrageous life story with lots of humor, a few regrets, and, most importantly, unbridled joy. Candid, warm, and wonderfully inspiring, The Mother of Black Hollywood intimately reveals the heart of a woman who lives life to the fullest.
©2017 Jenifer Lewis (P)2017 HarperCollins PublishersYou may also enjoy...
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Finding Me
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.
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A Song for You
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I’m glad to Hear Robyn speak her truth.
- By Fallon Butlin on 2019-11-14
Written by: Robyn Crawford
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Leslie F*cking Jones
- Written by: Leslie Jones, Chris Rock - foreword
- Narrated by: Leslie Jones, Chris Rock
- Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hey you guys, it’s Leslie. I’m excited to share my story with you. Now, I’m gonna be honest: Some of the details might be vague because a b*tch is fifty-five and she’s smoked a ton of weed. But while bits might be a touch hazy, I can promise you the underlying truth is REAL.
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- Narrated by: Quinta Brunson
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What the critics say
"Jenifer Lewis, star of the TV show 'Black-ish,' holds nothing back in delivering her audacious, outrageous memoir.... Bursting into song, exploding with over-the-top hilarity, Lewis confides some of her best-kept secrets to fans as if they were her new BFFs. Wonderfully honest, intelligent, and brave, Lewis delivers a tour-de-force performance not to be missed." (AudioFile)
What listeners say about The Mother of Black Hollywood
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2019-07-26
Jennifer Lewis Rocks and is so real
I love the honesty and realness throughout the book. So Moving and so awe inspiring.
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- Aisha Brown
- 2024-01-08
This Was Fantastic
Listening to Jenifer Lewis perform the hell out of this book definitely heightened the experience, but I can't stress enough how much I loved this book. It was hilarious and vulnerable and beautiful, and I would still recommend it if it was narrated by the. charismaless voice of a speak and spell or Rob Schneider.
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- Debbie Miller
- 2020-10-03
Naughty, Nice and Necessary!
I have always loved her as an actress, but love her more as a human being! I appreciate hearing her true story. She doesnt know it, but she will help me with my relationship with my daughter.
Jenifer has done so much for humanity with this book! Thank you for sharing.
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- Chrissy
- 2021-01-04
10 stars
I've always loved Ms. Lewis and to hear her tell me her story was an amazing experience. Thank you sharing Ms. Lewis💕
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-05-18
Entertaining, Honest, & Engaging.
Everything you would expect and more. I laughed...as expected and cried, unexpected. Enjoyed ever minute of this memoir.
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- Soul Sista
- 2018-04-30
Powerful
Her truth is sureal, self identifying, funny, honest , and most of all inspirational! 💓
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- Adrienne Scarlett
- 2018-10-29
Yasssss!
I feel so full of love for you right now. Made me all warm a squishy inside.
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- Anonymous User
- 2018-11-21
Inspiring, Funny and candid about mental health
I could not stop listening to this audiobook. Just like her consistent amazing performances on and off screen, Lewis doesn't anything less while narrating her memoir. She captivates you with her story telling, making you laugh, cry or just feel relatable her experiences. Her in depth and openness about her Mental Health was just inspiring to hear.
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- Anika D.
- 2018-05-18
Best Book I’ve Ever Read !!!
Her voice, the way she makes the story come to life ... how much you can learn from her past mistakes... just read it !
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- Nicole Bee
- 2020-12-12
Jenifer Lewis is amazing, per usual
I’ve read this book more than once. Something about Black Mama Lewis feels like sitting in my aunt’s sewing room, listening to her tell me stories . Dame Lewis shares some stuff that is scary telling a friend, let alone the world, and it makes it that much more relatable. I would recommend this book.
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