
"Changing the world... one word at a time."
11-year-old Akeelah Anderson has a way with words. After winning her schoolwide spelling bee, she decides to enter the competition, despite her classmates' derision and the antipathy of her mother Tanya. Thanks to the efforts of her teacher Dr. Larabee, she reaches the finals. As she gets to know her fellow competitors, Akeelah realizes that coming first isn't everything in life.
Akeelah Anderson

Dr. Larabee

Tanya Anderson

Mr. Welch

Javier

Dylan Chiu

Georgia
Devon

Terrence

Kiana

Derrick-T

Ms. Cross

Mr. Chiu

Steve

Polly
Roman
Ted Saunders

District Judge

Regional Judge

Herself
Regional Pronouncer

Cheating Boy
Cheating Boy's Mom
Akeelah's Father

Volunteer

Reporter

Woman on TV

Korean Grocer

Rajeev Subramonian
Cissi
