An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson a precocious 11-year old girl from South Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother, Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee, her principal Mr. Welch, and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration from one amazing little girl.