The only surviving photograph from her childhood is a solemn kindergarten portrait, capturing a young girl who, even then, seemed to understand the weight of having less than her peers. Today, that same girl is a celebrated actress and an outspoken advocate for those who share her struggles.

Her childhood was steeped in poverty and deprivation. Growing up in a family of eight with parents working low-paying factory and stable jobs, food stamps barely stretched through the month. Hunger was a constant companion, and school lunches were often her only reliable meals.

Winters in their home were harsh, marked by frozen pipes and nights plagued by rats. Despite these conditions, she refused to let her surroundings define her future. Instead, she clung to a dream of escaping poverty through education and creativity.

Born 59 years ago in a one-room shack on her grandmother’s farm in South Carolina—a former plantation property—her family later moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, in search of a better life. However, poverty followed them. Their home, a condemned building, lacked plumbing, heating, and basic amenities. Rats infested the space, chewing through toys and jumping onto beds at night. To protect themselves, she and her siblings tied rags around their necks while they slept.

Food insecurity was a grim reality. When food stamps ran out, the children scavenged in garbage bins or stole from stores. At nine, she was caught stealing and shamed by the store owner, an incident that haunted her for years. Despite these challenges, she nurtured dreams of a better life, using school as her refuge. Her passion for performing began early when she and her sisters participated in local talent shows, creating skits and costumes to showcase their creativity.

Education became her lifeline. She excelled academically and participated in programs like Upward Bound, which prepared low-income students for college. Winning a scholarship to Rhode Island College, she majored in theater, where her talent caught the attention of a professor who described her as a rare and extraordinary talent. Her journey took a significant turn when she secured one of 14 spots at Juilliard, out of 2,500 applicants.

Her time at Juilliard sharpened her craft and prepared her for a competitive career in entertainment. At 29, she earned her first Tony Award nomination for Seven Guitars. That performance was a defining moment in her career, with her parents in the audience and her father moved to tears. From that point, she transitioned to film and television, gaining critical acclaim for her roles. In 2008, she received her first Oscar nomination for Doubt, followed by another nomination for The Help in 2011.

In 2015, she made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder. A year later, her role in Fences earned her an Oscar, solidifying her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.

Her success became a platform for advocacy. Drawing from her own experiences with hunger, she worked with the Hunger Is campaign, raising over $4.5 million to combat childhood hunger. She’s been candid about the emotional scars of her upbringing, exploring them in her memoir, Finding Me. Writing the book, she said, was an act of reclaiming her story and confronting the shame she once carried.

In her hometown of Central Falls, her advocacy has inspired meaningful change. Hugh Minor of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank described her efforts as a powerful rallying call, bringing attention to the persistent issue of hunger.

Her personal life reflects the fulfillment of her childhood dreams. Married to actor and producer Julius Tennon, the couple adopted their daughter, Genesis, creating a loving family unit. On her 55th birthday, she bought the South Carolina home where she was born—a dilapidated shack that represented the beginning of her story. Reflecting on her journey, she shared her gratitude for how far she’s come, acknowledging the little girl within her who endured so much.

From a childhood defined by hardship to a life of success and advocacy, she continues to inspire others, proving that resilience, determination, and compassion can overcome even the most daunting challenges.