In just 15 years, DeVon Franklin has rocketed from being Will Smith’s intern to the position of vice president of production for Columbia Pictures. But his star-studded studio career is only half the story. On “Super Soul Sunday,” Oprah sits down for a soul-to-soul chat with the Produced by Faith author. Read on to find out more about the man Oprah calls “a different kind of spiritual teacher for our times.”
1. DeVon is a Seventh-day Adventist. He found solace in the church at age 9 after his father died from a heart attack, and gave his first sermon at the age of 15. He says he uses his background to produce faith-based films, like The Pursuit of Happyness and Jumping the Broom. He also oversaw the upcoming release of Sparkle, starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks.
2. He was named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top 35 entertainment executives under 35 and one of the top 10 industry impact players by the NAACP—but way before all these accolades, DeVon was an intern. He had a humble start interning for Will Smith and Will’s business partner James Lassiter. Watch DeVon reflect on the spiritual request he made during that interview. Watch DeVon reflect on the spiritual request he made during that interview.
3. DeVon puts faith before his career and makes no apologies for his priorities. Even on set, he unplugs from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday to observe the Sabbath. “I have put my faith front and center for everyone to see,” DeVon writes in his book, Produced by Faith. “Not only has relying on my faith not harmed my career prospects, it has actually enhanced them.”
4. DeVon is married to TV and film actress Meagan Good, whom he calls the “love of his life.” Before dating, they worked together on the coincidentally-named film,Jumping the Broom. DeVon says they have gone through premarital counseling with Bishop T.D. Jakes, whom DeVon counts among his mentors. “One of the things he helped us understand was what ultimately is the foundation of our relationship,” DeVon tells Oprah.
5. DeVon strongly believes in the concept of producing your own movie—so stop watching someone else’s life unfold and direct your own dream. “Stay in your movie. You focus on your scene,” he tells Oprah this Sunday. “You become the best that you can be, and you’ll be surprised how great your own story works out.”
M.V.O. Mission, Vision and Objective 