Oprah Winfrey Mandi McCoy History of Journalism

Oprah Born January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi Born January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi Raised by her grandmother on a farm Raised by her grandmother on a farm Suffered sexual abuse from a number of male relatives Suffered sexual abuse from a number of male relatives Moved to Nashville, TN to live with her father, Vernon, a barber and businessman Moved to Nashville, TN to live with her father, Vernon, a barber and businessman Attended TSU in 1971 Attended TSU in 1971

An Early Journalist At the age of 17, began working at WVOL radio in Nashville At the age of 17, began working at WVOL radio in Nashville At 19 years old, she became youngest person and 1 st African-American woman to anchor the news at WTVF- TV At 19 years old, she became youngest person and 1 st African-American woman to anchor the news at WTVF- TV Co-anchor the Six O-Clock News in Baltimore Co-anchor the Six O-Clock News in Baltimore Co-host of local talk show, People Are Talking Co-host of local talk show, People Are Talking

The Rise of the Oprah Winfrey Show In 1984, moved to Chicago to host WLS-TV’s morning show, A.M. Chicago After a month on air, began surpassing ratings of her major competitor, Phil Donahue Launched The Oprah Winfrey Show on Sept. 8, 1986

HARPO Productions, Inc. Oprah establishes own syndicated production company in 1988 In October 1988, she became the first woman in history to own and produce her own talk show

Resisting the Trash

Oprah’s Mission “Originally, our goal was to uplift, enlighten, encourage and entertain through the medium of television. Now, our mission for The Oprah Winfrey Show is to use television to transform people’s lives, to make viewers see themselves differently and to bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment into every home.” Oprah Winfrey “Originally, our goal was to uplift, enlighten, encourage and entertain through the medium of television. Now, our mission for The Oprah Winfrey Show is to use television to transform people’s lives, to make viewers see themselves differently and to bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment into every home.” Oprah Winfrey

Honorary Achievements Time magazine- 100 Most Influential People in the World Time magazine- 100 Most Influential People of the 20 th Century Newsweek- Most Important Person in Books and Media Life magazine- Voted most influential woman and influential black person of her generation Bob Hope Humanitarian Award Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Forbes magazine- published in 2003, first African-American woman to become a billionaire Received more than 40 daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host

Oprah’s Angel Network – has raised $50 million to date; est. “Use Your Life Award” in April 2000 Oprah’s Angel Network – has raised $50 million to date; est. “Use Your Life Award” in April 2000 Oprah.com – started in October 1995 Oprah.com – started in October 1995 Oprah’s Book Club – on-air reading club established September 17, 1996 Oprah’s Book Club – on-air reading club established September 17, 1996 “I want to get the country excited about reading again!” Oprah Winfrey Philanthropist and Online Leader

Cont. Philanthropist Dec Oprah Winfrey Foundation expanded to global humanitarian efforts to South Africa Dec Oprah Winfrey Foundation expanded to global humanitarian efforts to South Africa Jan establishes The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation which contributed to $40 million toward creation and opening of Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa Jan establishes The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation which contributed to $40 million toward creation and opening of Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa

Oprah and HARPO Productions, Inc. Magazine Creator/Editorial Director/Author Magazine Creator/Editorial Director/Author O, The Oprah Magazine- April 2000, international version to O, The Oprah Magazine- April 2000, international version to South Africa launched April 2002 O at Home- newsstand-only quarterly magazine launched O at Home- newsstand-only quarterly magazine launched in 2004 Co-authored five books Co-authored five books Satellite Radio Programmer Satellite Radio Programmer XM Satellite Radio channel, Oprah and Friends launched Sept XM Satellite Radio channel, Oprah and Friends launched Sept Broadway Producer Broadway Producer The Color Purple, December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre in NYC The Color Purple, December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre in NYC Television Program Creator Television Program Creator Dr. Phil- Sept Dr. Phil- Sept Rachael Ray- Sept Rachael Ray- Sept. 2006

Works Cited Academy of Achievement. “Oprah Winfrey”. 06 May Academy of Achievement. “Oprah Winfrey”. 06 May Oprah Winfrey’s Biography. About Oprah. 06 May jhtml Oprah Winfrey’s Biography. About Oprah. 06 May jhtml jhtml jhtml The Oprah Winfrey Show Fact Sheet. About Oprah. 06 May faq.jhtml The Oprah Winfrey Show Fact Sheet. About Oprah. 06 May faq.jhtml faq.jhtml faq.jhtml