LOS ANGELES – OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced a month-long celebration in January honoring civil rights legends who paved the way as we approach the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that changed the trajectory of America forever.
The network will air the star-studded television event “Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Way” (Sunday, January 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT) where Oprah Winfrey hosts a gala of events honoring some of the legendary men and extraordinary women of the civil rights movement, the arts and entertainment who made history and redefined what was possible for us all. 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-Williams, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.
On January 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Oprah sits down for a special episode of her popular series “Oprah Prime” celebrating the life of Dr. King and the Selma marches 50 years later. The episode features an in-depth conversation with the star of the upcoming film “Selma,” acclaimed actor David Oyelowo who portrays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with the film’s award-winning director Ava DuVernay. The episode will also feature stories of those who were impacted by the march and their reflections today on that time in American history.
The month of special programming begins on New Year’s Day as NBC News correspondent Tamron Hall hosts “Race on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Tamron Hall” (Thursday, January 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) which highlights those trailblazing “Oprah” show episodes that elicited shocking audience responses and sparked opportunities for growth towards greater connection, empathy and healing.
Other special programming airing throughout the month include special episodes of “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” (Thursday, January 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT) which spotlights memorable civil rights newsmakers and “Oprah’s Master Class” (Sunday, January 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) featuring powerful firsthand accounts from iconic “masters” such as Berry Gordy, Jr., Cicely Tyson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Diahann Carroll and many more.
In addition, the world television premiere of the OWN original documentary “Light Girls” will air on Monday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT featuring an in-depth look into colorism and the untold stories of lighter-skinned women around the globe. The documentary features interviews with notable celebrities including Russell Simmons, Soledad O’Brien, Diahann Carroll, India Arie, Iyanla Vanzant, Michaela Angela Davis, Kym Whitley, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and more.
Schedule:
*all times Eastern
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
9 p.m. “Oprah: Where Are They Now? Civil Rights Special”
10 p.m. “Race On The Oprah Winfrey Show with Tamron Hall”
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
9 p.m. “Oprah Prime: Celebrating Dr. King and The Selma Marches 50 Years Later”
10 p.m. “Oprah’s Master Class: Civil Rights Special”
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
9 p.m. “Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Way”
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
9 p.m. “Light Girls”
Detailed show description below:
“Oprah: Where Are They Now? Civil Rights Special”
(Thursday, January 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT)
Oprah Winfrey interviews Ruby Bridges who, at 6 years old, became a hero and civil rights pioneer as one of the first Black children to integrate into an all-white New Orleans elementary school in 1960. From Harpo Studios in Chicago, Oprah takes a look back at the most historic moments on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” covering civil rights and race relations. These iconic episodes include memorable cultural lessons, eliciting opportunities for growth towards greater connection, empathy and healing. Moments include an update with diversity expert Jane Elliott who conducted a secret discrimination exercise, treating blue-eyed and brown-eyed “Oprah” audience members differently, which resulted in shocking reactions. Then, in the summer of 1992, long-simmering racial tensions came to a head when white police officers were acquitted of the brutal beating of Rodney King. While the riots continued, the “Oprah” show went to Los Angeles for a town hall discussion that got heated. Today, a follow up with an audience member who was in support of the looting at that time. Also, O.J. Simpson’s former Prosecuting Attorney, Christopher Darden on race relations and his life after the “Trial of the Century.”
