Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored 1996

This film relates the story of a tightly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Town where the inhabitants live and depend on each other in a world where racist oppression is everywhere, as told by a boy called Cliff who spent his childhood there. Despite this, we see the life of the community in all its joys and sorrows, of those that live there while others decide to leave for a better life north. For those remaining, things come to a serious situation when one prominent businessman is being muscled out by a white competitor using racist intimidation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights.

Cast:

Al Freeman Jr.
Poppa 

Phylicia Rashād
Ma Ponk 

Paula Kelly
Ma Pearl 

Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson) 

Anna Maria Horsford
Miss Annie 

Bernie Casey
Mr. Walter