What It Means to Be Number One on the Call Sheet
A reflection on leadership and legacy
I didn’t expect to cry, but I did.
It happened while watching Number One on the Call Sheet, the two-part Apple TV+ documentary celebrating Black excellence in Hollywood. Part one focuses on Black leading men. I learned so much and felt so proud watching them, but it was part two, spotlighting Black leading women, that hit me emotionally the hardest.
As I watched women like Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Erivo, Vivica A. Fox, Meagan Good, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Ruth Negga, Gabourey Sidibe, Jurnee Smollett, Octavia Spencer, Tessa Thompson, Gabrielle Union, and Alfre Woodard share their stories, I felt a mix of pride, emotion, and reflection.
These were women who had led entire films. Hearing their experiences reminded me of how much they had to push through to reach that position. It was heart-wrenching to realize that, because of the color of their skin, people like Hattie McDaniel had to endure roles that stereotyped and diminished them. She was repeatedly cast as a maid, boxed into what the industry allowed at the time. It was an embarrassing chapter in Hollywood’s history—an industry full of creativity and opportunity, yet far too slow to open that space equally. It wasn’t until a movie like Black Panther came along that audiences truly saw the spotlight could rest on Black actors successfully and internationally, regardless of their skin color. Or someone like Will Smith, who broke barriers and redefined what it meant to be a global star. That was the impact these artists had. They dismantled barriers that should have never existed and exposed just how baseless those old limitations really were.
There was a moment that truly brought tears to my eyes. Watching Halle Berry’s Oscar win again and hearing her talk about what it meant to her. After listening to all the women share what they went through just to get a seat at the table, seeing her reach that milestone hit emotionally. As a Black woman, knowing how many came before her and were overlooked, that moment was powerful. She spoke about how painful it was to realize that she’s still the only one to ever win Best Actress. Since then, only Black women in the Best Supporting Actress category have been recognized. Her achievement carried the weight of everyone who paved the way. It was emotional, impactful, and a reminder of how much further we still have to go.
Another moment that stayed with me came from Laurence Fishburne in part one. He shared that as a young actor filming Apocalypse Now, his scene was eventually cut. After struggling with take after take, he was feeling discouraged. That’s when Martin Sheen leaned over and quietly said, “Has anyone ever told you you’re a really good actor?” When Fishburne said no, Sheen replied, “You are.” That moment changed something in him.
That’s what leadership looks like. Not ego. Not flash, but character, giving encouragement that can shift someone’s entire path.
It’s about impact.
What I really loved about this documentary is that it showed not only how people were able to achieve their goals once they put their minds to it, like Will Smith, who said everything in his life had to line up with his dream, but that all of them overcame real setbacks. They didn’t give up. And now they’re in a place where they can help others and shine a light with purpose.
A lot of people are told that dreaming is unrealistic. That they should settle. But these individuals didn’t. They stayed the course. And now they stand as living proof of what’s possible.
Number one on the call sheet means to inspire. To lead with inspiration. And that’s exactly what they did. They inspired me to continue.
