On the evening of Oct. 21, in Lowrimore Auditorium, the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) hosted a livestreamed interview with media icon and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, in which Winfrey reflected on lessons of purpose, gratitude and perseverance. This interview featured multiple student speakers nationwide, and gave them the chance to ask Winfrey questions and seek advice.
Beginning at 7 p.m., Francis Marion University students began to pile into the auditorium anticipating the broadcast appearance of Winfrey. The session started promptly, and Winfrey appeared on-screen accompanied by an interviewer. Winfrey and the interviewer shared a bit of small talk before the interviewer moved to introduce the first student speaker, Parth Singh.
Singh started by introducing himself to Winfrey before asking his question:
“What advice would you give to students that are having doubts about their self worth and direction of life?” asked Singh.
Winfrey smiled at him warmly, and began speaking about her own journey toward self-worth and the years of perseverance that shaped her success. “It took nine years to get to this point,” said Winfrey, adding that she once doubted her own value before finding confidence through faith and persistence. “Your life is bigger than your job, and your job is a major point of your life, so make it an investment,” said Winfrey. Singh then thanked Winfrey for her advice.
The interviewer then moved to welcome in two students from Tennessee State University (TSU), Arianna Young and Amiri Ramsey. Winfrey immediately struck up a friendly conversation with the two students, noting that she herself was an alumna of TSU. They then moved on to the questions, Young asking Winfrey about what truth had most surprised her about human nature. Winfrey replied that people share a universal need for acknowledgment.
“Did you hear me? Did you see me? Did what I say mean something?” asked Winfrey. “The common thread is wanting to be acknowledged.” Winfrey recounted a few times she had been in arguments and even moments where she had been hosting her show, where this logic applied.
Ramsey then asked her question. “What advice would you give to young leaders in a world of distractions and social pressures?” Winfrey replies, “These times call for self-development and self-awareness. The voices of the world will drown out the voice of God. Develop a spiritual life because that is your anchor.” Winfrey recounted on her faith while answering the question and encouraged others to ground themselves in their faith as well.
Moving on from interview questions, the interviewer told Winfrey that they would be playing a game called “Gratitude Hot Seat”, in which Winfrey would be asked various questions in relation to different things she was grateful for. During the game, she noted that she was grateful for mundane things such as showering and her dog’s vet results coming back as negative for any diseases. She also mentioned how grateful she was for her mentor, Maya Angelou. Angelou, a poet and civil rights activist, was a major motivator for Winfrey in her journey to becoming who she is today.
Winfrey quoted one of Angelou’s poems while answering Ramsey’s question. “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.” This was a callback to what she described as her ancestors being with her spiritually throughout her journey.
The interview ended with Winfrey being presented an honorary NSLS membership. She closed the discussion by referencing her life journey once more. “My honorary membership of NSLS is now part of my legacy,” said Winfrey.
For more information on FMU’s next broadcast of the NSLS livestreams, students may contact the Associate Provost for Advising Jennifer Kunka or visit FMU’s event calendar.