A modern take on the classic underdog story, Akeelah and the Bee tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old Black girl from South Los Angeles, as she finds herself immersed in the predominantly rich and white world of spelling bees. Supported by powerhouses like Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, Akeelah and the Bee launched actress Keke Palmer to stardom once and for all.