Cicely Tyson

as Constantine Jefferson

as Ondine Burdett

as Doris Jones

as Ophelia Harkness

as Sipsey

as Alice

as Nana Mama

as Mama Kay

as Self - Host

as Mrs. Hightower

as Flo Avery

as Alma Ross

as Stephanie St. Clair

as Gloria Dump

as Binta

as Justice Gretchen Parkhurst

as Myrtle

as Myrtle

as Elaine

as Abigail Peabody-Jackson

as Ola

as Mrs. Maureen Parker (voice)

as Rachel Biggs

as Jazz Club Bartender (uncredited)

as Self

as Self

as Mother Hopkins

as Rebecca Morgan

as Vivian Perry

as Mrs. Johnson

as Portia Copeland

as Self - Guest

as Marie Therese

as Emily Lincoln

as Leona Edwards McCauley

as Luvia

as Jane Pittman

as Tylette

as Julie Harmon

as Self

as Mrs. Browne

as Self - Presenter

as Self - Guest

as Tante Lou

as Mildred Hermosa

as Betty Kelly

as Claudia Ferguson

as Mrs. Watts

as Girl Left on Porch (uncredited)

as Self

as Darlene Knox

as Coretta Scott King

as Ms. Ebenita Scrooge

as Maggie

as Sweets

as Cathedral

as Self

as Self

as Blanche Rudolph

as Pearl

as Harriet Ross Tubman

as Miss Luma Lee Langston

as Marva Collins

as Self - Presenter

as Marva Collins

as Self - Introducer

as Mattie Williams

as Hattie

as Janet Framm

as Castralia

as Ruthana Richardson

as Dr. Randolph

as Evangeline

as Self

as Mama Flora

as Jordan Roosevelt

as Etta Mercer

as Dr. Claire Dalton

as Self

as Castalia

as Carol Phillips

as Self

as Julie Anderson

as Mrs. Browne

as Self

as Emma Teasley

as Celine

as Priscilla Simmons

as Dottie

as Odessa

as Sarah

as Guardian

as Muriel

as Vesta Lotte Battle

as Vicky Gunther

as Self

as Self (archival footage)

as Narrator

as Self

as Self - Host