As demonstrations against racism and anti-Black police brutality continue in the U.S. and around the world, Oprah Winfrey is using her platform to inspire frank conversation, and hopefully inspire change. According to Variety, the mogul is hosting a two-night town hall addressing America’s systemic racism. “OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?” will be simulcast on Winfrey’s network, OWN, as well as parent company Discovery’s 18 other channels.
The specials will see Winfrey talking with Black leaders, activists, and artists such as Ava DuVernay, politician Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, professor and author Jennifer Eberhardt, and journalist and founder of the “1619 Project” Nikole Hannah-Jones.
“I’ve been having private conversations with friends and thought leaders about what’s next and where we go from here,” Winfrey explained. “I thought it would be both of interest and service to bring their ideas, concerns, and comments into a national spotlight.”
Winfrey is executive producing “Where Do We Go From Here?” with Tara Montgomery. OWN is producing.
Widespread protests were sparked in part by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police on May 25. A white police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, despite his pleas that he couldn’t breathe. Demonstrators have also been galvanized by the recent murders Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and are speaking out against the history of hatred, mistreatment, and injustice for Black people in the United States.
“As a network dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black lives, OWN is committed to providing our community with important dialogue and helpful resources in this challenging time as we mourn the murder of George Floyd and ask ourselves how can we come together to create meaningful change,” said OWN president Tina Perry. “I am proud that our Discovery family has joined us to amplify this message in solidarity.”
Winfrey currently hosts talk show “Oprah’s Book Club” for Apple, where she is under a content deal. Her more recent news specials include “Oprah Talks COVID-19.” She executive produces DuVernay’s OWN series “Cherish the Day” and “Queen Sugar.” Winfrey also acted in DuVernay’s “Selma” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “The Color Purple,” and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” are among her other acting credits.
“OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?” will air June 9 and 10.
