Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award and Golden Globe award-winning actor and film producer, but her story has many different turns. Octavia thought studying law would be her path to change the world. But when a movie started production in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, her persistence landed her an internship that set her on a path to a successful career in Hollywood.

Octavia joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her inspiration to become an actor and producer, as well as the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in the entertainment industry. Octavia also shares her passion for giving back through her involvement with City Year Los Angeles, an organization that focuses on using the power of education to lift historically underrepresented groups out of poverty. Jay and Octavia also get into why, in spite of success as an actor, she evolved into an actor and producer and is driven by her desire to create authentic narratives and provide opportunities for Black and underrepresented groups in Hollywood.



Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:25) Octavia's Early Life and Career

(06:44) Breaking into Hollywood

(14:00) Challenges and Triumphs in Hollywood

(18:32) ‘The Help’ and Other Iconic Roles

(28:13) Passion for Education: City Year and Giving Back

(30:18) Becoming a Producer

(35:10) Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

(38:27) Conclusion and Credits



For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation



Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award and Golden Globe award-winning actor and film producer, but her story has many different turns. Octavia thought studying law would be her path to change the world. But when a movie started production in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, her persistence landed her an internship that set her on a path to a successful career in Hollywood.
Octavia joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her inspiration to become an actor and producer, as well as the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in the entertainment industry. Octavia also shares her passion for giving back through her involvement with City Year Los Angeles, an organization that focuses on using the power of education to lift historically underrepresented groups out of poverty. Jay and Octavia also get into why, in spite of success as an actor, she evolved into an actor and producer and is driven by her desire to create authentic narratives and provide opportunities for Black and underrepresented groups in Hollywood.
 
Episode Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(03:25) Octavia's Early Life and Career
(06:44) Breaking into Hollywood
(14:00) Challenges and Triumphs in Hollywood
(18:32) ‘The Help’ and Other Iconic Roles
(28:13) Passion for Education: City Year and Giving Back
(30:18) Becoming a Producer
(35:10) Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts
(38:27) Conclusion and Credits
 
For video episodes, watch on<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation"> www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation</a>
 
Stay in touch:
X:<a href="https://x.com/JayRuderman"> @JayRuderman</a> |<a href="https://x.com/RudermanFdn"> @RudermanFdn</a>
LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-ruderman-a799781b9/"> Jay Ruderman</a> |<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruderman-family-foundation/"> Ruderman Family Foundation</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/allaboutchangepodcast/"> All About Change Podcast</a> |<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rudermanfamilyfoundation/?hl=en"> Ruderman Family Foundation</a>
To learn more about the podcast, visit<a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2NzRTVYWDNpMjlZLXR5RWxURzhsSHVxTXdtUXxBQ3Jtc0ttODJLa0ZDR3RsMFFCRWNhVXpyRjJPNXRQQmQtVFZLYXFqc2NNSTdQRWFZV3RMXzk5Ykp4TC16alUtYXBtMUtnN1h6RTBlZmhVSURrbmctNDNRWC1fWURoOGcxWksyQjV3VTlYNzUydnkybU1BSk96UQ&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fallaboutchangepodcast.com%2F&amp;v=3JbEeuN4dEk"> https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/</a>

How do we build an inclusive world? Hear intimate and in-depth conversations with changemakers on disability rights, youth mental health advocacy, prison reform, grassroots activism, and more. 

First-hand stories about activism, change, and courage from people who are changing the world: from how a teen mom became the Planned Parenthood CEO, to NBA player Kevin Love on mental health in professional sports, to Beetlejuice actress Geena Davis on Hollywood’s role in women’s rights. 

All About Change is hosted by Jay Ruderman, whose life’s work is seeking social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Join Jay as he interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. 

Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. 

https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

How do we build an inclusive world? Hear intimate and in-depth conversations with changemakers on disability rights, youth mental health advocacy, prison reform, grassroots activism, and more. 
First-hand stories about activism, change, and courage from people who are changing the world: from how a teen mom became the Planned Parenthood CEO, to NBA player Kevin Love on mental health in professional sports, to Beetlejuice actress Geena Davis on Hollywood’s role in women’s rights. 
All About Change is hosted by Jay Ruderman, whose life’s work is seeking social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Join Jay as he interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. 
Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. 
https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

A Podcast on Inclusion, Innovation, and Social Justice.

All About Change

How do we build an inclusive world? Hear intimate and in-depth conversations with changemakers on disability rights, youth mental health advocacy, prison reform, grassroots activism, and more. 

First-hand stories about activism, change, and courage from people who are changing the world: from how a teen mom became the Planned Parenthood CEO, to NBA player Kevin Love on mental health in professional sports, to Beetlejuice actress Geena Davis on Hollywood’s role in women’s rights. 

All About Change is hosted by Jay Ruderman, whose life’s work is seeking social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Join Jay as he interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. 

Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. www.allaboutchange.com

Please fill out the Listener Feedback Form - Linked Here

How do we build an inclusive world? Hear intimate and in-depth conversations with changemakers on disability rights, youth mental health advocacy, prison reform, grassroots activism, and more. 
First-hand stories about activism, change, and courage from people who are changing the world: from how a teen mom became the Planned Parenthood CEO, to NBA player Kevin Love on mental health in professional sports, to Beetlejuice actress Geena Davis on Hollywood’s role in women’s rights. 
All About Change is hosted by Jay Ruderman, whose life’s work is seeking social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Join Jay as he interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. 
Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. <a href="http://www.allaboutchange.com">www.allaboutchange.com</a>
Please fill out the Listener Feedback Form - <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16OwpWj2C4L0bK_MxtFyzZIoFzKPlI62qVY4aS6t2ByU/viewform?edit_requested=true">Linked Here</a>

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