By: Michael Reel
Because she has played mothers in so many films, Jenifer Lewis is known in the industry as the “Black Mother of Hollywood.” Lewis, an actress, singer and activist, made her film debut in 1988’s Beaches. Before discussing her bestselling book, The Mother of Black Hollywood, Lewis shared with Reel Urban News her heartfelt compassion for the kids caught in the crossfire of the Parkland, Florida school massacre.
“It was Valentine’s Day and I’d just come home from Black-ish. I went upstairs and got on Facebook – about 20 people spelled my name with two ‘n’s.’ I came down to the piano to write a little funny song. Somehow my hand hit a button and the footage of the children running from the school in Parkland, Florida caught my attention. They were running from bullets.”
“Our children shouldn’t have to run from bullets / They should never ever even see a gun / They should be somewhere having fun / Our children shouldn’t have to run from bullets / America’s shame / America, we got to change / America, we got to change.”
“I was talking about all of the damage those shootings cause,” said Lewis. “You don’t have to be shot to be traumatized or damaged.”
Lewis’s mother Dorothy played a pivotal role in the actress’ life – and memoir.
“I’ve never told this story before, but my great-grandmother was found in the cotton fields with two babies, two dead babies in her arms. My mother told me this story as I interviewed her for the book. She knew I was writing the book.
“In the cotton fields – I didn’t know they [slave masters] would give the slaves sections and they kept an eye on them. ‘This was your section nigger and you didn’t pick enough cotton.’ Then they would tie them to a tree and beat them. I didn’t know they were assigned sections – that’s because, of course, we weren’t taught this in school.”
Over the years Lewis has discussed her mental health challenges openly as she continues to advocate for psychological counseling for persons dealing with mental instability. “That’s why I’m ferocious,” said Lewis. “That’s why I’m an alpha female. And that’s why I pursue happiness for everyone.
“I went to therapy for 17 years, twice a week. So, I came to slay! I don’t hold nothing in! I’m 61 years old and you can’t hurt me, honey!”
Lewis acknowledged that being the mother of black Hollywood brings with it responsibility. Lewis is quick to include other leading African American actresses who are often cast as black mothers. “I’ve played everybody’s momma – me, Loretta Devine and Phylicia Rashad.”
Devine recently starred as the mother on the NBC comedy The Carmichael Show and Rashad will forever be known as Clair Huxtable, the matriarch of The Cosby Show.
“Look, look, look I wrote a book / Two and a half years of blood, sweat and tears it took / It’s my story and God knows it’s my song / Sit back and relax and turn the page, it won’t take long / The pain and the drama playing everybody’s momma / The mother of black Hollywood, everybody’s telling me it’s so good / So look, where’s your book / Put down that phone and go write your own / Tell the world about your pain and all of your glory – it’s in you / It’s inside of you / It’s in you – so go and write your own – write your own story.”
After belting out the lyrics to “Look, Look, Look, I Wrote a Book,” Lewis reminds us, “I’m not the only black mother of Hollywood. But I wrote the book first! There are many black mothers of Hollywood and lots of white mothers of Hollywood.”
In the closing moments of our conversation, Lewis shared with Michael Reel of Reel Urban News her reason for writing her story at this period in her life and career. “I had to write the book to tell my story and to sing my song,’ explained Lewis. “I was typecast as the mother in over 40 movies – everybody from Tupac, to Whitney Houston, Gabrielle Union, Taraji Henson to Kevin Hart, I played their mother. The list goes on and on.
“I’ve been proud to play that middle-aged black woman that’s full of that wisdom. I give her sass. But I give her warmth. I’m representing a powerful demographic – black women. Ages 35-65 are my biggest fans on social media.”
“I owe to represent us as educated, fun, funny, sassy, demanding and tough love. That’s what a black woman is!”
