Television

• Before Women Had Wings (1997) (also producer)
• There Are No Children Here (1993)
• Lincoln (1992) (documentary) (narrator)
• Brewster Place (1990-1991)
• The Women of Brewster Place (1989) (also executive producer)
• The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-present)

As executive producer/producer:

• Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)
• Amy & Isabelle (2001)
• Tuesdays with Morrie (1999)
• David and Lisa (1998)
• The Wedding (1998
• Before Women Had Wings (1997)
• Overexposed (1992)
• The Women of Brewster Place (1989)

Movies

• Bee Movie (2007) (voice) (currently in pre-production)
• Charlotte's Web (2006) (voice) (currently filming)
• Emmanuel's Gift (2005) (documentary) (narrator)
• Brothers of the Borderland (2004) (short subject) (narrator)
• Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives (2003) (documentary) (narrator)
• Beloved (1998) (also producer)
• Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (1990) (documentary)
• Throw Momma from the Train (1987) (Cameo)
• Native Son (1986)
• The Color Purple (1985)