Join us for a virtual discussion as we usher in the new year with Producer, Author, Motivational Speaker and CEO, DeVon Franklin. 

One of the most inspirational leaders in Hollywood, DeVon Franklin will discuss the importance of Leadership, Education, Advancement and Diversity (LEAD) and how these themes played a role in his career. This dynamic conversation will inspire and motivate and will teach us how to maintain positivity and how to overcome fear and courageously pursue new opportunities.

Please submit panel questions to filmrowlead@gmail.com.

Moderator:

DeDe Brown (SVP, National Publicity, Paramount Pictures)

DeVon Franklin is an award-winning film producer, New York Times best-selling author and motivational speaker, and he is committed to uplifting the masses through entertainment.

DeVon has quickly become a force in the media as well as a leading authority on inspiration, spiritual wellness and personal development.

Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch," Ebony Magazine has distinguished him as one of the "Top 100 Influential African-Americans in America," and Oprah has called him "a bonafide dynamo...a different kind of spiritual teacher for our times." 

DeVon serves as President/CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a dynamic multimedia entertainment company with a first-look film deal at Paramount Pictures, a second-look film deal with Netflix, and an overall deal at CBS TV Studios. DeVon most recently produced the hit inspirational film BREAKTHROUGH starring Chrissy Metz for Disney/Fox, the hit Sony Pictures Animation animated film THE STAR and the hit Sony Pictures film MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN.

Additionally, Franklin Entertainment has several projects in development including Flamin’ Hot, the true story of the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, for Fox Searchlight, and Daring to Live for Paramount Pictures, the true story of four Black women who go on extreme adventures to overcome their greatest fears in life.

Along with his work as a producer, he is also the author of multiple best-selling books including THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN, THE SUCCESS COMMANDMENTS, THE WAIT (co-written with his wife actress Meagan Good) and PRODUCED BY FAITH.

DeVon serves on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Additionally, as co-chair of the Academy’s Representation and Inclusion Taskforce, he recently led the efforts to implement new representation and inclusion guidelines for Oscars eligibility. The historic guidelines are part of a continued effort to improve diversity in Hollywood, on and off the screen.

DeVon lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Meagan.

DeDe Brown joined Paramount Pictures as a Senior Vice President on the National Publicity team. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic development of national publicity campaigns and maintaining filmmaker relationships.

Prior to joining Paramount Pictures, DeDe was a consultant at The MRKT on the Multicultural Marketing team working on such blockbuster hits as SPIDERMAN: INTO THE SPIDER- VERSE, GODZILLA, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE and hit TV shows South Side, God Friended Me and The Neighborhood. Prior to her targeted marketing consulting work, DeDe was an in- demand freelance consultant in the sports, fashion and tech sectors. For eight years, she served as the Director of Special Events and PR at the New York Post.

DeDe is originally from Montgomery, Alabama and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Alabama. She resides in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn with her boyfriend, and cat Gritz.