“Comforting” by London Ladd From Oprah: The Little Speaker
In the art museum’s current exhibition, Telling A People’s Story, there are many works featuring well known African Americans and all their achievements. Among those biographical works, is one of the most famous women in the world; Oprah Winfrey. In the children’s book, Oprah: The Little Speaker, illustrator London Ladd does a masterful job at depicting Oprah and her childhood. Written by Carol Boston, the book illustrates Oprah’s rough upbringing living on a small farm near the Mississippi river.
Oprah: The Little Speaker, is a beacon of hope for children, showing that no matter where you start, you can always fulfill your dreams. Oprah was nicknamed the little speaker because of
her beautiful speaking at church. Oprah started out with little, but then would grow to become one of the most rich and powerful people in the world.
Oprah has been a role model the whole African-American community, especially black women. Recently, Oprah was the first black women to receive the Cecil B. De Mille award at the 2018 Golden Globes. In her rousing speech Oprah supported the Time’s Up campaign, a movement fighting for female survivors of sexual assault and other injustices in the workplace. Oprah explains how time is up of us turning a blind eye on the injustices happening in the world. Everyday more powerful women are coming forth to speak their story and empowering women as a whole.
“Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have,” Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah is not only the richest African American, she was also North America’s first multi billionaire black person and is the greatest black philanthropist in American history. With the current social frustrations and the political climate, Oprah has been often asked about running for president in 2020. CNN recently wrote: in a recent interview Oprah said she does not have the ‘DNA’ to run, and it is something that is not in the cards for her.
While this leaves much of the nation upset at loosing Oprah for the 2020 run, Oprah has found ways to contribute to society and speak out as an advocate for women. Oprah has donated money for The National Museum of African American History and Culture, founded Oprah’s Angel Network, started a Leadership Academy in South Africa and much more. Oprah also hand selects everything she supports and makes sure all of her projects reflect her morals and values.
Oprah accepting the Cecil B. De Mille award at the 75th Golden Globe Awards
“I actively work to make sure everything I do, say, promote or involve myself in comes from a place of resonance and appreciation. All my personal and business endeavors have to be in alignment with what’s authentically me,” Oprah Winfrey.
As an African-American woman, the Telling A People’s Story exhibition has been truly inspiring. The exhibition houses works of 33 African-American illustrators, all of the work depicting the life of the black community from the middle passage to modern day.
I believe that if Oprah saw this exhibition she would be truly proud of all the work put in and how far that African-American arts community has come. Other powerful black women depicted in the exhibition are: Sojourner Truth, Effa Manley, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.
Along with the exhibition, the art museum is holding multiple events centered around black life, African-American art and empowering black women. To check out the conference and events go to Telling A People’s Story blog. To contact the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation please see the contact below.
Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation
℅ Michele Vaughn
110 N. Carpenter Ave.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 633-3100
