Selma: Oprah Hosts Gala & Marches In Honor Of MLK Day

Image via Vulture

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. day, Oprah hosted a televised gala honoring some of the legendary men and women of the civil rights movement, “including those in arts and entertainment, who made history and redefined what was possible for us all.”

Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved the Way aired last night on OWN and followed a weekend celebration in Santa Barbara, CA. There was an exclusive screening of Selma (which Oprah both acted in and produced), a message from President Obama, various readings, speeches, and songs, as well as a gospel brunch hosted at Oprah’s home.

The legends that were honored included 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 and Sidney Poitier. 

Oprah and fellow Selma cast mate also marched through Selma, Alabama yesterday to pay homage to Martin Luther King Jr. and all civil rights marchers. Standing in front of Selma City Hall, Oprah gave an articulate and inspiring speech.

"The idea is that hope and possibility is real. ... Look at what they were able to do with so little, and look at how we now have so much. If they could do that, imagine what now can be accomplished with the opportunity through social media and connection, the opportunity through understanding that absolutely we are more alike than we are different."

Watch a clip of Oprah’s speech below: