Meagan Good Says She Was 'Called the N-Word More Times Than You Can Imagine' Growing Up (Exclusive)

Meagan Good is reflecting on racism she experienced from a young age and how it led her to acting.

The Divorce in the Black star, who began her Hollywood career as a child, recalls what led her to the entertainment industry in this week's issue of PEOPLE.

"In the neighborhood I grew up in, until I was about maybe 10 or 11, there was one other Black family, and then it was maybe the end of junior high where more people of color started coming into the neighborhood," recalls Good, now 42. "But I experienced a lot of racism, being called the N-word more times than you could imagine."

"I think acting, for me, was like, you want to be on the dance team or you want to be a cheerleader or you want to do this sport or that sport. I realized that I was never going to really feel safe in those spaces at that time," she recalls. "So my mom put me in it as kind of a hobby as a child, and I knew it was something that I wanted to do."

Says Good, "I knew that I loved being a ham and being in front of the camera. I was very overconfident." At the same time, though, Good says she had a "pick-me" mindset, wanting others to "see my heart, see that I'm good, see that I'm this, see that I'm that."

"With my mom and dad separating when I was 4 and my sister was 6, I think there was always that inside of me," says Good.

"I remember being 14, and I remember I had been acting since I was 4 at that point. I had done probably over 60 national commercials, from Barbie to Cheerios. Every time I would go in auditions, I never really got the opportunity to do drama. It always felt like they 'think I can't do it.' And I'm like, 'Just pick me. Just give me a chance. I'll show you. I can do it.' "

Then, "I did the table read for Eve's Bayou when I was 10 years old, and I played Eve, and I remember calling Ms. [director] Kasi [Lemmons] every year, like, 'Are they going to do the movie this year?' They were still trying to find funding."

By the time the project moved forward, Good says she aged out of the Eve role, which ultimately went to Jurnee Smollett. Good was still cast as Cisely.

"To feel validated in that way, I just remember thinking like, 'Okay, I finally got a chance and I finally got picked.' Then to be on a set with people who pour into you, who really see you, who wanted you. They just want to see you win, genuinely. That always stuck with me."

Now, Good is looking out for up-and-coming actresses, hoping to shield them as they navigate the industry.

"I'm so gung-ho about protecting the Ryan Destinys and the Lexi Underwoods and the Paige Hurds because I know how this industry can be, and they are the next generation," she says. "For us, it's about supporting them and lifting them up and letting them know that you deserve to be picked."

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What would Good tell her 14-year-old self if she could? "I would tell her that you don't have to try hard to be perfect, because to God you already are. You're perfectly imperfect."

Plus, "I would also say, 'Girl, it ain't that serious. Calm down, relax. Protect your spirit a little bit more.' "

Divorce in the Black is now streaming on Prime Video.