The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir

Jenifer Lewis

Nov 2017 · HarperAudio · Narrated by Jenifer Lewis

About this audiobook

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 mid-western 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 eleven 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.

Ratings and reviews

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Ms. Lewis' vulnerability and rawness just made me love her even more. Her hope that one line of this book would inspire someone, was fulfilled. She has inspired me.

I don't think there's a better way to experience a memoir than by hearing it read by the author. Especially when that author is the marvel known as Jenifer Lewis. I felt like I was with her every step of the way, from Kinlock to New York to LA and everywhere in between. Her delivery is precise and strategic, she is every bit the star when it's just her voice. And what a voice at that. I admit, I barely knew Ms. Lewis before seeing one of her videos on Instagram, plugging her memoir. It worked.

I absolutely loved this audiobook! No one else could've done this book justice except Jenifer Lewis. Only she can tell her own story like she can... The most awesome!

About the author

Jenifer Lewis (deemed a “national treasure” by TV Guide.com) has appeared in more than three hundred television and film roles. She currently stars on the hit ABC show black-ish. She lives in Los Angeles with her bichon frise, Butters Lewis, and has a drag queen named Shangela living in her basement.