Kirk Franklin On Meeting His Biological Father, Wholeness, Healing + More 

Very powerful story, unfortunately many of us share the same experiences. As a motherless and fatherless child, I don't think people understand how it effects every aspect of your life... no matter how successful you are, you can't replace the cracks in your foundation.

Kirk's experience is what made him who he is today. As unfortunate as it is, Kirk turned his pain into prayer that in turn became his music. Had Mr Rick been a present figure in Kirk's life, he may have never become a messenger for Christ. What the enemy intended for evil, God used for good. 🙌🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼

"You can't wait to get fixed. You have to WIN WOUNDED" Kirk Franklin 😳🏃🏾‍♀️💨😭🙌🏾💪🏾🙏🏾♥️ A COMPLETE WORD!!!

I will forever respect and love Kirk Franklin for how he’s helped sooo many despite his own pain. God Bless you. He’s been so transparent throughout his career, despite the shade and messy questions. May God bless him richly in all ways.

I’m so proud of Kirk for being vulnerable!! This is needed in the black community!!! Perfection culture is slowly killing us!!!

The fact Kirk and Charla goof around every time he comes just warms my heart ❤😂

This interview was EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ending was perfect!!! We needed the laugh to stop the tears. I loved this interview.

Wow this was amazing. Many of us who have loving biological parents take them for granted. This is a very powerful story. I’m glad Kirk has survived it all 🙏🏾

I was in tears the whole interview then when Kirk addressed Plies, the way I literally hollered out loud. 😂😂😂. I love Kirk Franklin's spirit

What a great interview! Praying for Kirk’s continued healing.

I was fully unprepared for how emotional this interview made me. I hope Kirk continues to find healing 💔 Inner child work is NO JOKE. But our community needs it. Parental trauma is too normalized smh

Powerful 30 minutes. "You gotta win wounded" absolutely love this, had me in tears.

“You gotta win, wounded”. Wow! Powerful. I’ve been stunted so I really needed to hear that. Thanks Mr. Franklin.❤ Continued blessings. Man!!!! I wish I could attend one of their shows on this tour. My soul needs it!! My husband and I both would be so blessed by it because the weights been HEAVY. God is great and forever providing tho and we’re grateful.🙏🏽

Kirk Franklin story is so powerful, especially when he said, " every new experience brings on a new trauma." It definitely spoke to me this morning as someone who has experienced traumatic events like abandonedment, betrayal and feeling unloved. Shout out to Kirk Franklin. Win wounded! Praising God thos morning.

There’s so many people like Kirk’s mother. It speaks to their own hurt, trauma and much needed healing that they need. It’s sad on all ends.

I love Kirk Franklin. He’s not only the greatest Gospel artist ever. He’s one of musics greatest writer’s!

As a trauma psychologist, I can say that keeping busy in and of itself is not bad. It can be adaptive, meaning life saving. As Kirk said, there are negative things that some people do to deal with pain. Kirk has found his healing outlets. Thank God for the many ways his grace shows up.

Loved that you shared your story Kirk Franklin! Charlamagne and DJ Envy did an incredible job interviewing and asking those in depth questions that may have allowed Kirk to think about and help him heal and Win Wounded! Love it!

The tears of release that are streaming down my face is such a blessing. Thank you breakfast club for bringing him on the show and asking such great questions. This interview is now one of my favorites.

THIS MAN IS PREACHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dropping pearls on top of pearls on top of revelation on top of revelations

Mannnnn, I am here fanning my face at work to keep from crying. OMG, this is heavy but so needed. Thank you, Kirk Franklin, for your story!!!!

I can relate to the part when Kirk talks about needing affirmation from people. I grew up without a father and had a mother who was not emotionally available because she was dealing with her own trauma. This interview helped me to understand some things about myself! Thank you!

When he said brokenness becomes a blanket... Sooooo True I've been battling Depression since 7yrs old off and on.... and I've become so numb to bad things happening in my life that is almost weird being happy ( I have severe abandonment issues abandon by my mother at 7 and insecurity issues) 🙏🙏🙏🙏 for Kirk fr We really out here battling brother

The Family Reunion concert last night in Orlando was AMAZING!! Thank you Kirk Franklin!!

This is a powerful conversation and so much to unpack. As Black men, we’re witnessing another black man show up broken and vulnerable. This isn’t easy for any human but especially Black men as no one holds space for us to be in this state. The one thing that I hope everyone takes away from this that no one owes you anything rather it’s our responsibility to recognize and heal the traumas in our life. Our parents have their own traumas that show up in their ability to parent. Life is about capacity which is limited or abundant based on who we are. Kirk’s trauma is also directly connected to his success… he wouldn’t be Kirk Franklin without it. A huge part of healing is forgiveness and releasing fear. True forgiveness sets us free and gives us back our power. The longer he waits on his mother to acknowledge and admit that she’s wrong the longer he’s going to give up his power. Authentic Love and forgiveness allow us to move forward without expectations but understanding our parents have a past and can only give what they have.

This interview was very needed. Mr. Kirk Franklin is the reason I started to listen to gospel. I really related to this interview. Thank you Mr. Franklin for sharing. ❤

This man's documentary was so RAW!!! I feel for him. I grew up with my biological parents and felt loved by none of them. I was nobody's apple's in nobody's eyes. I quickly thought: "oh well, so be it, maybe I'm not lovable by others, but I love myself". I later understood my parents lacked self love, so they couldn't give it to me. I just learned to rely on myself. They're older now, and they heavily rely on me. I've managed to heal myself with all the help I could see and receive and I'm happy to give them money, logistical and admin support. I'm trying to give them love but I've so learned to protect myself that it's work in progress. I'm grateful for all they gave me and don't blame for what they were not capable of doing.

More than anything, it just warms my heart that Kirk turned out to be incredibly successful and is a man of God! It can never replace his trauma, but he has built a beautiful family out of nothing! This man is incredible!

The irony is that all of this started at the funeral. I pray that Kirk "lays to rest" the power his mother has on him. I pray that he "transitions" in his relationship with his father, Mr. Rick.

It is very healing. My Father was a big man because he apologized to me for times when he overly disciplined me. That was healing and very powerful for me and made me see my Father as the greatest from that moment on!

07:47 My father walked out of my life when I was 2. He left my mother & went to a woman who was pregnant with my brother, who passed away in 2021 at age 50. This year, 2023, I was searching online to see if I could find out more about my father's military experience, he served in Vietnam. That's when I learned my younger brother had passed away. I was then connected to an older sister I lost contact with 20 years ago. We didn't grow up together, so we had only met 20 years ago. Through this sister I finally got pictures of my father. And they were pictures of him with the deceased brother as a baby and the woman he left my mother for. All very happy pictures. I have NO pictures of my father holding me. NONE. It evoked feelings in me that I never knew I had. My father passed away in 1990 at age 50. I found out in 1994. I am 55 years old and still those wounds, that I thought had healed, are still raw. My father did pop back into my life when I was 14 until age 17, So in total I knew him 5 years, FIVE. Queen Latifah is my 4th cousin. The Owens' in VA are a huge family - and I didn't have the opportunity to grow up with them, to know them, to learn my family's history. And now many folks are passed - and that just shatters me. I am grateful for Ancestry.com and the DNA that opened up a whole window to my family, one that was a black hole.

Always a real one. He ain't faking it, he ain't trying to be perfect, he's flawed and loves the Lord AUTHENTICALLY. Love me some Kirk Franklin.

I literally saw Kirk, the little boy in the doc. He showed up a several of times. Once when we first saw him with his aunt in the SUV, again when he saw his father, and in that room with his mom discussing the second paternity test. I felt like he went along with the second test because he was seeking her to give him the acknowledgment he so very badly needed to bring so closure to this. I wonder if his mother suffers from mental health issues and who knows what trauma she could have had growing up. Glad to see Kirk doing the work to break the cycle.

I always had a great respect for Kirk Franklin. His music has always been a great deal of inspiration for me and has gotten me through my hardest times. "What you looking for" A letter to my friend, and,"let me touch you... to this day are song that touches every part of my soul and I'm thankful for his gift of music to the world. Great Interview...💯

The Breakfeast Club continue to have these great interviews. Thank you for this amazing interview with Mr. Kirk Franklin which was fantastic.❤❤❤💐 💐

I have said this before, the parent is supposed to love and protect a child. The love ultimately protects. It’s a shame to hear stories of this not being the case. I wish him all the healings and the blessings that every child should have when they are brought into this world, not by their choice.

This such a mind blowing interview. God Bless You Kirk Franklin as you travel this road of knowing you.

Kirk Franklin, Kerry Washington….parents need to be transparent with their kids.

The story with his mom is sad but unfortunately many in our community have similar stories. Our women would rather a child grow up fatherless than introduce them because of a situation between them two. It shouldn’t involve the child no matter how bad y’all at odds.

Generational trauma is always going to be a problem for black folks, we just got to continue to go forth with love and heal to stop tension and shame. What he said the other day "win wounded"

I felt that! You gotta win wounded✊🏽

Limp across the finish line and win wounded!!! Straight tear jerker!!!

"Imagine Me" brought me through some of the darkest times of my life. I legit remember feeling hopeless and then hearing that song one more time as it was on repeat, would pull me through in the moment.

Kirk's interviews at BFC are amazing and makes me smile and cry --- I love this!

Listen here Mr Kirk Frankin you have made me cry 3 times this week! That WIN WOUNDED part just took me completely out baby THANK YOU FATHER for giving Mr. Franklin so much wisdom i truly feel like God be speaking through him in a way that will touch anyone heart no matter where we are in life!!

We needed that comic relief at the end because this interview was heavy. Sending love to Kirk Franklin!!❤❤❤

Kirk Franklin is a strong man! To be able to be vulnerable during this time while making an album is amazing. God is giving him so much strength to get through this!! I pray he keeps getting the healing he needs!!

That "Plies, I love you... Come home" took me out 🤣... great interview

I am turning 30 this year and I have known who my real father is since I was 13 but haven’t built a relationship with him. My mother and father failed me, was in foster care, grew up not knowing my African American side of the family etc and all the trauma that comes with that. I needed to hear this . Kirk your story really relates to me and this was just a touching interview and I’m so glad it exists.

I liked this interview. Feel so sorry for him, but at the same time I'm glad he's finding his way out and healing.

#WinWounded. In the Name and Blood of Jesus Christ, casting all to God and leave it to God Almighty for he knows our path and purpose. What others meant for evil, God works things out for the good of us who trust and believe in THE PROMISES OF GOD

Very good Interview ! You can tell this Man is Hurting

Thank you for sharing. My Dad held on to the truth until he was diagnosed with cancer and terminally ill. He told me about another sister that I didn't know about. I met my sister when I was almost 40. So, we missed out on all those years of sisterhood. People STOP hiding whole children. You create other issues that can be difficult to reconcile.

Kirk Franklin deserves so many flowers. I'm 36, and I've been listening to him since I was a child. He's an icon! Singer, producer, songwriter, musician, choir director, motivational speaker. I adore him. ✨️

"Rain and Sunshine Co-exist in our journey...the duality is necessary." K. Franklin 🥰

I totally understand Kirk on all levels. I’ve always loved him because of his realness within his artistry but there’s a new found respect for the man behind the music.

Kevin Hart, Charlemagne and Kirk Franklin should all play brothers in a movie. ❤🙌🏽

I cried again this morning; I believe God put Kirk Franklin in this position to experience what he has gone through and is going through to be who is now. I love ❤his music. I hope and pray some day his mother will tell him the truth... admit to the truth about who his father is. To come forth and tell her story. I wish him continued healing and blessings. ❤

Im still dealing with the same situation at 42 years old .my mother gave me away since i was 2 years old .still now she never say sorry wast she did was wrong .smh

I feel Frank Kirklin"s pain. My mom hid the truth about my real dad up until my mid-40s. I'm 59 now. I don't know if my real dad is still alive or not, and Im not sure he knows I exist. I love my mom with all my heart. I forgive her becaus she was very young and going through some trauma, but it still hurts every single moment of my life not knowing who the other part of me is. My mom raised me the best she could, but after learning the truth from her, I wonder how different my life would have been with my real dad in my life. GOD is my FATHER. HE keeps me, HE keeps me sane and HE me going! I'm was told my real dad's name is George Forster, who lived in Brooklyn, NY, in the 60s as a teenager. I'm still hopeful.🙏🏽☺️🙏🏽

I think Debra wants to acknowledge her body count back then. That has nothing to do with Kirk. Admit your wrong and keep it moving. She wants to live in the misery of her past instead of acknowledging and moving forward.

Hear me out. Could he be a result of a non consensual encounter. The mom could be blocking the memory from her mind

BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED INTERVIEW ‼️‼️‼️🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

I do wonder if his mother experienced some sort of trauma surrounding Kirk’s conception or something around that time.. bc why is she denying this?

Envy are you sure you watched his documentary? Why would you ask “did you question why his daughter was the apple of his eye?” What are you talking about🤦🏽‍♀️ please do your research without charlamagane this interview would’ve been horrible.

I’d like to give a shout out to Gertrude the elderly woman who raised him…sold bottles to pay for his piano lessons…probably went hungry sometimes so he could eat! Well done, GOOD and FAITHFUL servant Kirk’s music helps me keep on keeping on. What a gift!

I wish I could've been the mother to my own mother. My grandmother failed to love my mother. Kirk's story brought tears to my eyes. The trauma the parents bring to their children, how do expect the children to turn out?

This was extraordinarily necessary. Kirk really blessed my entire soul ❤

Wow that’s so true if you grew up in the church where everything was punishable by God and you heard that more than God loved you.

The cohost was great w/being sensitive to the spirit and nature of the interview 👏🏾

I wish Kirk the best as he continues to share his story and heal! I work with adoptees and many of them also struggle with their identity, grief, and loss when they don’t know contact with their birth family. Even if they are in a loving family, that adoption trauma still remains even into adulthood.

Kirk’s story transcends color. As a Puerto Rican woman his story and vulnerability has blessed my life.

Plies come home.. 😂😂😂😂

After every Kirk Franklin interview i listen to, I leave feeling like I learned something. I love the part where he says "win wounded" - that line was fire!!

Kirk got me bout to cry. Sheeeeesh so grateful for his life

Charlemagne... you are dumb for real🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. This was an EXCELLENT interview! ❤

It might be time for DJ Envy to move on to pastures new.. He's never been the best at interviewing but Angela's departure has really highlighted how bad he is. This topic requires sensitivity and active listening and his messy self decides to ask , "didn't you question why his daughter was the apple of his eye and not you?" Were he paying attention, he would have heard Kirk say his biological father had no idea he existed. So lame.

As a young child I use to cook hot dogs and beans, and singing to Gods Property, in my room by myself while my Mom was working 2 jobs! Thank you KING AND KINGS!!

What makes Kirk so dope is this brother is fighting for his faith because he has been whooped by Life. Because of this ,it makes him lean on his faith for real all while being realistic about needing help outside of his faith. God be with that brother as he fights to know himself.

Loved every moment of this! I pray Kirk somehow gets the peace/healing he needs & deserves!!!

Jesus I don’t understand why this happened. But I’m grateful that you’re carrying him through. All of us. Anyone who has been traumatized or broken. Have your way in this earth Christ Jesus, this world and the fullness thereof has always belonged to you. You care about what we’re going through and how we feel. We need you now. Thank you for keeping us this far. Use the testimonies of the broken to motivate and save the world. Help us stay in this fight. You are in control. Thank you Jesus for moving in this place. Heal your people 💚🙏🏽

Trauma bonding means when the person forms a close attachment with the person who caused harm. The use of this concept is often missed use.

Ugh, this whole interview just made me want to put my arms around him and give him a motherly hug...this is why I always make sure to love up and hug up on my children so they'll know no matter what, mommy always loves them

That was no where near long enough. I hope Kirk heals one day. I completely resonate with him.

Kirk Franklin got me at work about to cry, damnit man.

Kirk’s mother is literally insane. I respect that he wants to protect black women and all, but the way his mom and “aunt” treat him is just wrong…

yall gotta see the that kirk franklin churches chicken commercial

If my father was only 13 years older than me, I wouldn't expect too much out of him.

Awww Kirk 💔. His energy is so heavy. I'm praying for his healing this is rough. 🙏🏾🙏🏾

Though this was barely a 30 minute interview. This was POWERFUL.

I loved this interview ❤😂❤

Envy is the worst interviewer. You asked Kirk how he feels about his biological father’s affection for his daughter that he’s known about as oppose to Kirk. Really Envy?? The man didn’t know about Kirk at all, are you listening to Kirk??

Kirk has one of the most iconic voices ever

I have been floating on “brokenness becomes almost like a blanket” all week!! That was so powerful.

That picture of Kirk and his biological dad is worth more than A THOUSAND WORDS. CONGRATULATIONS and STAY ENCOURAGED Bro for this MONUMENTAL STEP TOWARDS CLOSURE AND HEALING!!!💯🔥🔥💯

Such a HEALING conversation…❤️‍🩹…that Inner Child work is daunting…but SO necessary… Keep healing, Kirk🙏🏾

Kirk So Pure With His Story Powerful Interview 🤘🏾😎❤️

We have the same parallels. Found my dad this year too. I feel Kirk's pain.🫶🏾

"You gotta win wounded," Kirk Franklin Thank you 🙏🏾🫶🏾

Mann this so good!! I will admit, i haven't followed him as much after his early hits..even the situation with his son a few yrs back..i didnt really check on it like that. But i watched his documentary some weeks back! And it was beautiful!! ❤️ May god continue to bless his journey