Oprah to Host ‘OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?’ with Black Thought-Leaders

The Oprah Winfrey Network has announced that Oprah Winfrey will host a two-night special titled OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here? on OWN and across all of Discovery’s 18 other U.S. networks. The specials will air part 1 on Tuesday, June 9, and Part 2 on Wednesday, June 10 at 9 PM ET/PT on both nights. It will also stream for free on the Watch OWN and Discovery Family TVE apps, as well as OWN’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels and be available on Discovery’s global platforms in more than 200 countries and territories. It will also be available for viewing on Philo.

The special is in response to the continuing civil unrest in America following the tragic murder of George Floyd. The special will feature Oprah Winfrey as she speaks with a range of black thought leaders, activists, and artists about systematic racism and the current state of America.

“I’ve been having private conversations with friends and thought leaders about what’s next and where we go from here,” said Oprah Winfrey in a written press release. “I thought it would be both of interest and service to bring their ideas, concerns, and comments into a national spotlight.”

“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 Tina Perry, president, OWN. “I am proud that our Discovery family has joined us to amplify this message in solidarity.” 

“There is no one like Oprah to bring us all together at this critical moment in our history to offer insights, perspective, and action,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery, Inc. “We are honored to partner with OWN and use our global reach to amplify this important discussion about the global issues of economic and social justice and equality to a potential audience of one billion people across more than 200 markets in a way that only Discovery can.”  

Featured guests will include politician Stacey Abrams, journalist Charles M. Blow; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, professor and author Jennifer Eberhardt; journalist and Pulitzer prize-winning founder of the “1619 Project” Nikole Hannah-Jones; historian and author Ibram Kendi, award-winning actor David Oyelowo, Color of Change founder Rashad Robinson; and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) national board member Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.