December 15, 2014
Oprah Announces Month-Long Celebration to Honor Civil Rights Legends
Earlier today, the Oprah Winfrey Network announced that as January approaches, there will be continual celebrations taking place in honor of civil rights legends throughout the month. With the 50th anniversary of Selma on the horizon, we must recognize and reflect on what these heroes have done for each and every one of us to be where we are today. The marches that took place from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the future of America forever.
The monthlong celebration will include special television programming that will begin on New Year’s Day, as Tamron Hall hosts Race on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Tamron Hall, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Other special airings will include Oprah Prime on Jan. 4, when Oprah will commemorate the life of King and talk about the importance of the Selma marches. She also sits down and talks with David Oyelowo, who plays King in the eagerly awaited Selma film. Oprah’s Master Class will air on Jan. 4 as well, where powerful “masters†recall their firsthand accounts, such as Berry Gordy Jr., Cicely Tyson, Maya Angelou, Diahann Carroll and many more.
On Sun. Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the network will air the television event Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Way. The gala of events will recognize what these amazing men and women of the civil rights movement have achieved. Honorees include Ambassador Andrew Young, Berry Gordy Jr., Rev. C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Dick Gregory, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Juanita Jones Abernathy, Julian Bond, Marian Wright Edelman, Myrlie Evers, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.
In addition, the world television premier of Light Girls, the OWN original documentary, airs on Jan 19. The show looks into the untold stories of lighter-skinned women from around the world. Celebrities on Light Girls include Russell Simmons, Iyanla Vanzant, and India Arie, just to name a few. As we transition into January, let us all join in the celebrations and honoring of our brave, selfless, civil rights leaders.
View the schedule of events below (all times Eastern):
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
9 p.m.            “Oprah: Where Are They Now? Civil Rights Specialâ€
10 p.m.         “Race On The Oprah Winfrey Show with Tamron Hallâ€
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
9 p.m.            “Oprah Prime: Celebrating Dr. King and The Selma Marches 50 Years Laterâ€
10 p.m.          “Oprah’s Master Class: Civil Rights Specialâ€
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
9 p.m.           “Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Wayâ€
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
9 p.m.        “Light Girlsâ€