1996 was the year a particular generation was introduced to the talent of Sheryl Lee Ralph during the premiere of “Moesha.” During the show, she played a wisdom-filled stepmother who gripped our hearts with her relatability, candor, and witty banter. Her character, Dee, became a staple in the late ’90s and would foretell her continued impact on the culture. While “Moesha” may have been Ralph’s introduction to some, it is not how she got her start in the industry. Born in Connecticut, Ralph is of Jamaican descent and made her official onscreen debut in 1977, appearing in the Sidney Poitier-directed film “A Piece of the Action.” From that point, the now 66-year-old actress appeared in a range of television shows and films, tapping in with the culture for her short but impactful role in “Sister Act 2” and hitting the stage as Deena Jones in the Broadway play, “Dream Girls.” Ralph’s work in the industry is noteworthy, earning her several honors and awards. Most recently, the mother of...