LeBron James and Octavia Spencer Team Up for Madame C.J. Walker Series

The story of the first black female millionaire is coming to television.

LeBron James' production company, SpringHill Entertainment, is executive producing a limited series about the entrepreneur and social activist Madam C.J. Walker.  Oscar winner Octavia Spencer is attached to star with Eve's Bayou director Kasi Lemmons set to helm the pilot episode.

Madam C.J. Walker became the wealthiest black woman of her time when she built a beauty empire for a hair care formula targeting African Americans.  The series is based on a book, On Her Own Ground, written by Walker's great-great-granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles.

“I am really proud of this project and that SpringHill will be partnering with Octavia to tell this important story,” LeBron said in a statement. “Every American should all know the story of Madam C.J. Walker. She was an innovator, entrepreneur, social activist, and total game changer whose story has been left out of the history books. I hope this project lives up to her legacy with a story that will educate and inspire.”

It's said that Spencer aggressively pursued the part once she heard that the project was in the works.  Once Octavia was attached, SpringHill gladly hopped on board to bring it to life.  Part of the mission of the production company run by James and his partner Maverick Carter is to spotlight the hidden stories of blacks who shaped American history. The company recently donated $2.5 million to the National Museum of African American History's Muhammad Ali exhibit.