Award-winning actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph firmly believes in the power of community. She says having a community is so important now more than ever.
In a recent interview with HuffPost, she reflected on the influential figures who guided her throughout her career, sharing heartfelt anecdotes about how Black icons like Maya Angelou, Rosalind Cash, Virginia Capers, Cicely Tyson, and Sidney Poitier uplifted and mentored her along the way.
Ralph recalled a transformative moment with Maya Angelou, who once told her, “When I hear you speak, it makes everything I have gone through worth it.”
According to her, this validation from the legendary poet reinforced her commitment to giving back.
“Why do I spend so much time sharing the knowledge that I have? Because somebody did it for me,” Ralph stated.
One of those mentors was Rosalind Cash, a trailblazing actress known for her defiance against Hollywood’s beauty standards. Cash, who faced industry blackballing for wearing her natural hair, stood firm in her identity.
“She said, this is my hair. This is how it grows. You’ll either accept all of me or you won’t,” Ralph recalled. Cash’s guidance extended beyond encouragement—she provided Ralph with a place to stay during her early professional years.
Similarly, Virginia Capers, who had just won a Tony for Raisin, became an enduring pillar of support for Ralph. After meeting through Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women initiative, Capers found Ralph her first apartment and remained a mentor for life. Cicely Tyson and Sidney Poitier also left lasting impressions, with Poitier famously telling Ralph, “I expect great things from you.”
Ralph reflected on these experiences drum home the importance of community, stating:
“Somebody busted rocks in order for me to walk, drive, arrive.”
Thriving in her 50s, Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to pay forward the wisdom poured into her, ensuring future generations of Black creatives have the support they need to succeed.
