A narrator tells the story of his childhood years in a tightly knit Afro-American community in the deep south under racial segregation.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Al Freeman Jr.Poppa | Poppa |
 Phylicia RashādMa Ponk | Ma Ponk |
 Paula KellyMa Pearl | Ma Pearl |
 Salli Richardson-WhitfieldMiss Alice | Miss Alice |
 Anna Maria HorsfordMiss Annie | Miss Annie |
 Bernie CaseyMr. Walter | Mr. Walter |
 Isaac HayesPreacher Hurn | Preacher Hurn |
 Ray JCliff (12 Yrs.) | Cliff (12 Yrs.) |
 Polly BergenMiss Maybry | Miss Maybry |
| TTaj MahalMr. Will | Mr. Will |
 LeonUncle Melvin | Uncle Melvin |
 Richard RoundtreeCleve | Cleve |
 Frank Hoyt TaylorStraw Boss | Straw Boss |