Denzel Whitaker James Farmer Jr. Denzel Washington Melvin B. Tolson Nate Parker Henry Lowe Jurnee Smollett Samantha Booke Forest Whitaker Dr. James Farmer Sr. Kimberly Elise Pearl Farmer Jermaine Williams Hamilton Burgess Gina Ravera Ruth Tolson John Heard Sheriff Dozier Devyn A. Tyler Helen Farmer Ritchie Montgomery Deputy Jackson Walker Pig Owner Tim Parati Pig Farmer Robert X. Golphin Dunbar Reed Justice Leak Harland Osbourne Glen Powell Harvard Debater #1 Brian Smiar Harvard Dean Damien Leake Wilson Stephen Rider Paul Quinn Debater #2 Gordon Danniels Paul Quinn Debate Judge Donny Boaz Oklahoma City College Debater #1 Bonnie Johnson Dr. Jennings Charissa Allen Benita Michael Beasley Trudell George Wilson Samuel Fahnlohnee R. Harris Clementine Harold Evans William Taylor J.D. Evermore Captain Wainwright Frank Ridley Security Guard Jack Radosta White Man at Lynching Dom Flemons Juke Joint Musician #2 Rhiannon Giddens Juke Joint Musician #4 Marcus Lyle Brown Howard Debater #1 Kevin Beard Klansman at Lynching (uncredited)