OWN Plans Two-Night Special on Systemic Racism in America

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has slated a two-night special, OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?, that will simulcast on OWN and across all of Discovery’s 18 other U.S. networks on June 9 and 10.

The special features Oprah Winfrey as she speaks directly with a range of Black thought leaders, activists and artists about systematic racism and the current state of America. Featured guests include politician Stacey Abrams; journalist Charles M. Blow; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay (When They See Us, 13th, Queen Sugar); professor and author Jennifer Eberhardt (Biased); journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning founder of the “1619 Project” Nikole Hannah-Jones; historian and author Ibram Kendi (How to Be an Anti-Racist); award-winning actor David Oyelowo (Selma); Color of Change founder Rashad Robinson; and NAACP national board member Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.

Where Do We Go From Here? 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.

“I’ve been having private conversations with friends and thought leaders about what’s next and where we go from here,” said Winfrey. “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 of 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.”