American Author Oprah Winfrey will receive the honorary Empowerment Award at the first edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s Empowerment in Entertainment gala. The event, which will have all star-studded guest appearances is slated for April 30.
The gala is scheduled at honoring individuals who have created opportunities for people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community and other emerging voices in the industry. The gala will again debut The Hollywood Reporter’s dedicated magazine issue that spotlights the entertainment’s leaders of change, in addition to formally launching the Fellowship program, the Young Executives Fellowship.
Speaking on Oprah’s merit of the honorary title, THR’s editorial director Matthew Belloni disclosed, “Oprah is one of the most prolific and impactful advocates for inclusivity in the history of our industry. We’re thrilled she has chosen to lend her voice in support of our Young Executives Fellowship, and we’re confident that this program will help forge a pathway for a diverse generation of Hollywood leaders. I can’t think of a more perfect honoree for our first-ever Empowerment Award.”
The name Oprah has become a source of inspiration to many young men and women (those making it already and those trying to find their feet) out there throughout her decade-spanning career. Oprah is credited with several philanthropic endeavors, which includes the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, Oprah’s Angel Network (a charity that has raised more than $80 million in support of nonprofits around the world) and over 400 scholarships given to students attending Morehouse College in Atlanta.
The Young Executives Fellowship program will also give the opportunity to 25 high school juniors for a two-year program that will include business curriculum and mentoring. Targeted students will come from underserved schools in Los Angeles, Compton and Inglewood. The initiative is aimed at creating a pipeline for future leaders in film and television.
By: Larry Adams
