Darnell Martin Director Halle Berry Janie Starks Actor Michael Ealy Tea Cake Actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson Joe Starks Actor Ruby Dee Nanny Actor Terrence Howard Amos Hicks Actor Lorraine Toussaint Pearl Stone Actor Nicki Micheaux Phoebe Watson Actor Mel Winkler Actor Matthew Carlisle Producer Oprah Winfrey Executive Producer Kate Forte Executive Producer Suzan-Lori Parks Writer Misan Sagay Writer Bobby Smith Jr. Writer