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 Marcus Carothers Guest Star DeLeon Richards Margaret Thomas Guest Star Royce Wallace Grandma Cross Guest Star Jason Weaver Matthew Thomas Guest Star Gloria Naylor Writer Jan Eliasberg Director