Guest Stars Pauletta Washington as Rachel Franklin Steven Gregory Norfleet as Cecil Franklin T.I. as Ken Cunningham Antonique Smith as Barbara Franklin Omar J. Dorsey as James Cleveland Keith Arthur Bolden as Recording Studio Man Co Starring Sydney Hunter as Young Carolyn Aubriana Davis as Young Erma Brandon Gilliard as Chuck Rainey Tina Fears as Clara Ward Jannette Sepwa as Miss Lowery Laurie Williamson as Sister Marian Duranice Page as JC Choir Member #3 Melanie "Sweet Melodi" Patrick as Audience Member #5 Ny'Jal Mosley as Brother Edwin Chrystal Rucker as JC Choir Member #2 Amanda Johnson as Audience Member #4 Dacia James as Audience Member #1 Tweet as JC Choir Member #1 Brandon Germaine as Audience Member #3 Tristan Andrews as Audience Member #2 Michael Rene Walton as Cameraman Keila Harvey as Audience Member #6 Michael Hogan as Sydney Pollack Justin Gilbert as Cornerstone Choir Director Leon Lamar as Cranky Old Timer