Category: Devon Franklins Career Reflection

DeVon Franklin, a prominent figure in Hollywood with nearly 20 years of experience creating inspirational projects, recently shared a deeply personal reflection on his career journey. Speaking on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas, Franklin detailed how his early career experiences under Babyface and Tracey Edmonds at Edmonds Entertainment led to a remarkable full-circle moment with his latest film, “Ruth & Boaz.”

The Success of ‘Ruth & Boaz’

Franklin’s recent project, “Ruth & Boaz,” a modern adaptation of a Biblical story, premiered on Netflix on September 26th. The film, starring Serayah McNeill, Tyler Lepley, and Phylicia Rashad, quickly became Netflix’s most-streamed movie during its release week, amassing an impressive 434.4 million minutes of watch time. Franklin also collaborated with Tyler Perry as a producer, negotiating what he described as the best film deal of his career.

Franklin noted that his extensive experience in Hollywood has built his credibility, which in turn opens doors for more projects like “Ruth & Boaz.” He believes this success not only expands his own opportunities but also paves the way for other like-minded filmmakers.

A Full-Circle Moment with Edmonds Entertainment

The creation of “Ruth & Boaz” held special significance for Franklin, marking a full-circle moment connected to his early career. Nearly two decades ago, he was hired as a junior executive at Edmonds Entertainment, a company founded by music mogul Babyface and his then-wife, Tracey Edmonds. Launched in 1997, Edmonds Entertainment quickly found success with “Soul Food” and expanded its reach into television, music, and digital media.

Franklin recalled being “excited by the opportunity” to work at Edmonds Entertainment, recognizing it as a premier Black-owned entertainment company in Hollywood at the time. As a young executive eager to prove himself, he dedicated himself to the role, working long hours and approaching every task with excellence—a value instilled in him through his upbringing in the church.

Planting Seeds of Excellence

This dedication, Franklin explained, left a lasting impression on Babyface, a renowned singer, songwriter, and producer. “I was hungry for opportunity… hungry to make my mark in the business… hungry to learn,” Franklin shared. “And so that hunger showed up in my commitment to excellence, my commitment to serve, my commitment to being integral, being a good character commitment to work hard.”

Years later, Franklin experienced the profound impact of that early work ethic when Babyface made a cameo in “Ruth & Boaz.” Babyface also contributed to the film’s soundtrack, writing and producing the song “Faithful” and recording a cover of “Goodness of God.” Franklin expressed his amazement: “If you sow excellence, you’re going to reap it. I didn’t realize that the way I would reap the seeds of excellence that I planted when I worked for Babyface 20 years ago, that I would reap those seeds in my own movie that I produced. That’s a miracle.”