She graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1974. While a student at Spelman (an all-female institution), she met Samuel L. Jackson, who was a student at Morehouse College (the all-male institution affiliated with Spelman), who would later become her husband. She and Samuel L. Jackson have one daughter named Zoe.
Earned a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from Spelman College and a Master's Degree in Drama from New York University. Directed the short film "Hairstory" which was written by Tish Benson. Daughter Zoe attends Vassar College. [January 2002] Second cousin of Justin Guarini, runner-up on American Idol.