Watch Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a four-part limited series, released on March 20, 2020, based on the book 'On Her Own Ground' by A'Lelia Bundles. The series is a historical drama that portrays the inspiring true story of an African-American woman, Sarah Breedlove, famously known as Madam C.J. Walker. She was a pioneering black entrepreneur and the first self-made female millionaire in America who revolutionized the hair care industry for black women.

The series opens in the early 1900s in St. Louis, where Sarah (Octavia Spencer), a washroom attendant, lives with her abusive husband, C.J. Walker (Blair Underwood), and her daughter, Lelia (Tiffany Haddish). Sarah is a hardworking and ambitious woman, who suffers from hair loss and struggles to make ends meet. Her life takes a turn when she meets Addie (Carmen Ejogo) - a charming, light-skinned saleswoman, who is selling hair products to black women. However, Addie's products are damaging to Sarah's hair, leading her to create her own hair-growth formula.

Sarah's homemade hair product gains massive popularity, and she establishes her own beauty empire. She becomes a mentor to other women who dream of starting their own businesses, emphasizing the importance of financial independence and self-determination. However, Addie - her former mentor turned rival, isn't pleased with her success and devises malicious tactics to defeat Sarah.

The series highlights the racial and gender discrimination, Sarah and her contemporaries had to face in the US during the Jim Crow era. It explores Sarah's journey from a poor washerwoman to becoming an influential leader and philanthropist, who uplifted the community through education and charitable works.

Octavia Spencer delivers a brilliant performance as Madam C.J. Walker. She brilliantly portrays the complexities of a strong-willed, independent woman, who battles with societal barriers and personal struggles. Tiffany Haddish and Carmen Ejogo also shine in their performances as Sarah's daughter, Lelia, and her adversary, Addie, respectively.

Overall, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a compelling drama that celebrates the life of a remarkable woman and her significant contributions to American history. It provides an insightful look into the struggles and triumphs of black women entrepreneurs and the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker that continues to inspire the generations to come.

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between March 20, 2020 and on Netflix