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The Book of Negroes - The Book of Negroes, a 2007 award-winning novel based on an African woman's story of being kidnapped then enslaved in South Carolina, has been turned into a six-hour miniseries right here on BET. With the series premiering on February 16, 2015 and Aunjanue Ellis starring as the lead character, Aminata, the story is powerful and inspiring. In case you're not as familiar with Ellis, here are 10 things you need to know about the actress.— By Moriba Cummings(Photo: Joe Alblas/Conquering Lion Pictures/Out of Africa Pictures/ Entertainment One)

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California Girl - The beautiful actress is a Cali girl at heart, hailing from San Francisco, to be exact. Born on February 21, 1969, the actress began in film from an early age, getting started on a career that would eventually become larger than life.(Photo: Tony Barson/FilmMagic)

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Farm Girl - While growing up in San Francisco, a very young Ellis was raised on her grandmother's farm with her sister. While there, she found the time to perfect her craft to become the force that she is today.(Photo: Didier Baverel/WireImage)

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Ivy League - Not only does she act in The Book of Negroes, but she's also very well-versed in the subject matter as she has earned her B.A. in African-American studies from Brown University. After graduating from Brown, she studied acting in the Graduate Acting Program at New York University.(Photo: Sonia Recchia/WireImage)

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A Delta Lady - In addition to being an ivy league and acting school graduate, Ellis is a member of the Gamma Psi chapter of the not-for profit Greek-letter sorority Delta Sigma Theta. (Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra)

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Broadway Star - Proving that she's an all-round entertainment force, Ellis has appeared in a number of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including a revival of the Shakespeare play The Tempest, 2004's Drowning Crow and the Hampton Players and Company production Through the Crack.(Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

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Naturalista - Ellis is known today for her beautiful natural locs probably just as much as she is known for her amazing acting chops. From early on in her career, she has embraced and showed off her natural curls and has even played with different styles throughout the years. Talk about hairspiration.(Photo: REUTERS/ERIC GAILLARD/LANDOV)

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Veteran  - Though her role in The Book of Negroes may be her first major leading role, Ellis is no amateur in the acting game. Active in Hollywood for more than 20 years, she has starred in a slew of high profile movies and TV shows including The Practice, True Blood, The Help and Ray.(Photo: Sonia Recchia/WireImage)

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Married to Denzel - Not many women can say that they starred alongside acting great Denzel Washington, much less as his wife. Ellis played the role of Theresa in the 2009 film The Taking of Pelham 123. We're sure the ladies were jealous.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Columbia Pictures

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Men of Honor - Ellis starred alongside Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the 2000 film Men of Honor. Her performance was so impressive that she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.(Photo: Fox 2000 Pictures)

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Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story - The chemistry between Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ellis was so electric in Men of Honor that the pair starred together again in the 2009 film Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Their pairing may be good luck as the actress received another NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special.(Photo: Sony Picture Entertainment)