Sheryl Lee Ralph, a Hollywood icon known for defying industry norms, has experienced a resurgence in stardom with her acclaimed role as Barbara Howard on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.”

While accepting her award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for the role at the 74th annual Emmy Awards, she delivered an empowering acceptance speech by singing Dianne Reeves’ 1994 song “Endangered Species.” Her message was clear: She made it to that stage because she never stopped believing in herself — and she encouraged others to do the same.

“Since being honored with that win, everywhere I go, somebody has a story to share with me about how hearing that affected them,” Ralph said. “I wanted everybody to realize that if I’m standing here after everything I’ve been through, don’t you ever give up on you because if it can happen to me, it can absolutely happen to you.”

Throughout her decadeslong career, Ralph’s success highlights her resilience against the many Hollywood biases. In the latest episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” she opens up about the ups and downs of her time in the spotlight.

In the ‘70s, she appeared in Sidney Poitier’s film “A Piece of the Action” and went on to star as Deena Jones in the 1980s Broadway hit “Dreamgirls.” She enjoyed a steady career in acting and singing, with roles in films such as “The Mighty Quinn,” “Mistress” and “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.” Her role as Dee Mitchell in the hit show “Moesha” earned her five NAACP Image Award nominations.

Through it all, Ralph credits her parents, especially her mother, for giving her confidence and strength as a child, which helped her overcome the struggles that came with being a Black woman in Hollywood.

“When you go to school and they call you bad words, they call you ‘liver lips’, they tell you your nose was too broad, your hair was this, your skin is ugly, my mother would say, ‘Sheryl, what do you mean you’re ugly? You haven’t looked in the mirror lately. You don’t see the beautiful child that you are?’”

Now, as a mother herself of two adult children, Ralph takes pride in the close bond she shares with her family. She shares how her children co-founded, in honor of Ahmaud Arbery, the nonprofit Walkgood LA that encourages healing through movement. She launched her own nonprofit, The DIVA Foundation, in the '90s during the height of the AIDS epidemic, which she continues to work with today.

For Ralph, using her voice to bring about change and good is something she strives to do daily.

“You just have to do what you know is your truth and what works for you,” she said. “There’s so many people out there using platforms to spread hate… I use my platform. I want you to feel good. I want you to know that I see you, I get you.”

Watch "LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez" at 9 p.m. every Monday on Spectrum News 1.