Oprah Winfrey Mattie Michael Actor Rachael Crawford Melanie Browne Actor Brenda Pressley Etta Mae Johnson Actor Olivia Cole Miss Sophie Actor Kelly Neal Abshu Kamau Actor John Cothran Ralph Thomas Actor Oscar Brown Jr. Jessie Actor John Speredakos Mickey Adriano Actor John Beasley Mr. Willie Guest Star Marcus Carothers Guest Star Ketty Lester Patience Jones Guest Star Lynnie Godfrey Roberta Guest Star Victoria Mahoney Guest Star Pat Bowie Guest Star Beah Richards Bernice Sands Guest Star Darryl Davis Akwabina Guest Star Royce Wallace Grandma Cross Guest Star Jason Weaver Matthew Thomas Guest Star DeLeon Richards Margaret Thomas Guest Star DiAnne B. Shaw Eloise Guest Star Gloria Naylor Writer Ivan Dixon Director Helaine Head Director Bill Duke Director Jan Eliasberg Director Lesli Linka Glatter Director Roy Campanella II Director