On September 8, 1986, 32-year-old Oprah Winfrey debuted her nationally syndicated daytime talk show. The Oprah Winfrey Show went on to run for 25 years, and during that time Ms. Winfrey became one of the most influential women in entertainment.

Before the show's debut, Oprah was not a complete unknown on the national stage. That same year she secured an Oscar-nomination for her role as Sofia in The Color Purple.  

But the talk show deal was months before the film's premiere. She signed a deal to expand her local morning show with a $1 million signing bonus just two years after its launch.
A promo for the show's premiere teases a typically formatted talk show that explored inoffensive topics like relationships.


The first show was about relationships titled "How to Marry the Man/Woman of Your Choice.”

She often went up against veteran talk show host Phil Donahue whom the New York Daily News referred to as her "archrival"

At the show's 20th anniversary, Ms. Winfrey reflected on her first day as a national tv host. She read from her journal an excerpt that said, "Maybe going national was to help me realize that I have important work or that this work is important."

In a December 1986 interview with Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes, Oprah explains that her hopes for her life are not wrapped up in the success of the show. "I think we are defined by the way we treat ourselves and the way we treat other people, she said.

"It would be wonderful to be acclaimed as this talk show host whose made it. That would be wonderful, but if that doesn't happen there are other important things in my life."


It seems she's achieved more than she could have imagined. During the show's run, 4,500 episodes aired. The show won 15 Daytime Emmys. She took home 7 as host. That number likely would have been much higher, but in 1999, she removed herself from consideration as host after being presented a lifetime achievement award.



The last episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show aired May 25, 2011. She now runs the Oprah Winfrey Network that's experiencing record ratings with its newest shows.

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A documentary highlighting the career and legacy of Nina Simone is coming to theaters this month. The film will release at NYC’s Miles Gallery and LA’s Sundance Sunset on October 16th and will open nationwide on October 23rd.

by Aleshea Harris

“People could not heal if they did not know the truth,” declares Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu early in filmmaker Lydia Hicks’ new documentary-in-progress, Rediscovering the Scientist. Indeed, healing by way of seeking truth is the major driving force of this absorbing new film, which critically examines erasure of people of color in science history and highlights multicultural contributions to the field.

For years, Nichelle Gainer's Vintage Black Glamour has been a go-to collection of rare and fascinating images of Black stars. She recently sat down with historian A'lelia Bundles at the Shomburg Center in Harlem for a conversation on her reason for putting together her recently released book as well as her future plans. The conversation begins at 19:30.

From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives—and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment—for traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders met with bitter racism and mob violence.

The Associated Press reports that many of Rosa Parks most prized belongings remain stored in a warehouse in Harlem, New York. Amont the treasured items are clothing, personal correspondence, and Mrs. Parks' numerous awards and recognitions.

The collection of thousands of items was handed over to auctioneers by court order after a long legal battle between Rosa Parks' heirs and friends.

Unfortunately the collection will remain stored indefinitely because it must be sold in its entirety. All of the items are valued between $8-10 million dollars.

On March 10, 9-Year-Old Chachi will launch a new web show dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Black women. In her first show, she spotlights astronaut Mae Jemison, and in another video she honors the genius of pioneers like Audre Lorde, Shirley Chisholm, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett.

There are some who feel like we should stop talking about slavery and "the struggle" but the stories of our ancestors are so dynamic that they deserve to be continually retold and interpolated.

This song tribute celebrates the amazing life of one of history's greatest freedom fighters: Harriet Tubman. It features the musical skills of Sherida Mulrowe who also narrates the video. Graphics were provided by Christopher Fuller.

In 2011, Filmmaker Pierre Bennu created a series of satirical commercials for a Black Moses Barbie toy. Obviously the toy doesn't actually exist, but the clips offer hilarious and thoughtful insight into the often fraught relationship Black people have with commercial media and pop culture.

The videos provide excellent food for thought. How does our history get distorted as it becomes commercialized?

An Atlanta news station presented Dr. Bernice King with flyers and images of her father being used to promote "twerk" parties.

Meet an American hero whose name you might not know. While other prisoners of war like Senator John McCain and Jessica Lynch are heralded for their bravery, countless others remain relegated to the background. Tales of their heroism don't fit neatly into the traditional American narrative of service and sacrifice.

Too often the stories of Black women never see the light of day let alone make it to film. It's no surprise that this depiction of the life of Saartjie (Sarah) Baartman was produced in French. I, personally, can't imagine an American or British filmmaker ever being willing to produce it. The film details Saartjie's travel from her home in South Africa to London where she became an attraction for Europeans.

From The Black Power Mixtape, this unseen footage of random street interviews along with private interviews & speeches from educator, author, the nation's first Black female congresswoman (1968) and  first Black candidate of either major party for President of the United States(1972).