OWN ANNOUNCES OWN SPOTLIGHT SERIES "SPEAK SIS" WITH SPECIAL EPISODE FEATURING OPRAH WINFREY PREMIERING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Oprah Winfrey Leads Conversations On Mental Health and Trauma in the Black Community In All New Episode Hosted by Emmy Award-winning Journalist Adrienne Bankert and Leading Social Impact Strategist Jotaka Eaddy

Special Guests Include California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Activist, Scholar, and Educator Dr. Dena Simmons, and Emmy Nominated Actress and Comedian Kym Whitley

LOS ANGELES - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today a special episode of OWN Spotlight series "Speak Sis" premiering on Tuesday, September 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The special two-hour episode features an audience of Black women in an in-depth conversation regarding mental health and trauma impacting the Black community led by Oprah Winfrey, Emmy Award-winning host and journalist Adrienne Bankert, and leading social impact strategist Jotaka Eaddy, featuring special guests California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Activist, Scholar, and Educator Dr. Dena Simmons, and Emmy Award-nominated actress and comedian Kym Whitley. Also joining the conversation are Dr. Gail Wyatt, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Emmy Award-winning creative visionary and mental health advocate Kelli Richardson Lawson.

In a conversation that destigmatizes mental health issues, the panel will discuss childhood trauma in the Black community and unpack how it manifests in adulthood. The special will also offer suggestions around how to do the work to heal both individually and as a community, all through the lens of asking "What happened to you?," the critical question posed by Oprah's New York Times best-selling book of the same name co-written with trauma expert, Dr. Bruce Perry.

Through this conversation, Oprah, the panel, and the audience educates, inspires, and helps others feel less alone and more hopeful for the future. Expert panelists suggest resources and key takeaways for those who are looking to start examining and healing from trauma, particularly after the disproportionate effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Black community and the emotional toll of the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.

This special is a part of OWN's popular topic-driven OWN Spotlight series and is the first of four episodes focused on health in the Black community, in conjunction with OWN's first-ever health initiative, OWN YOUR HEALTH. The series features intimate conversations about important issues with honest opinions and surprising solutions that focus on Black women.

"Speak Sis" is produced by Critical Content for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Jennifer Ryan serves as showrunner and executive producer along with Critical Content executive producers Jenny Daly, Tom Forman, and Jon Beyer. OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network executive producers are Tara Montgomery and Brian Piotrowicz.

Follow us on social media at @OWNTV and join the conversation with #OWNSpotlight.

About OWN YOUR HEALTH

View the OWN YOUR HEALTH Launch Spot HERE featuring the song "Stand Up For Something" by Grammy and Academy Award-winner Common and Academy Award-nominee Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) and voice-over by Ms. Day.

OWN YOUR HEALTH aims to bring awareness, education, resources, and a sense of community to address the unique health concerns facing Black women today. This multi-platform campaign is designed to inspire and encourage the OWN audience to put herself and her health and well-being first. OWN YOUR HEALTH expands on the success of OWN's first ever pro social campaign OWN YOUR VOTE, a bipartisan registration and get-out-the-vote initiative that partnered with national and local grassroots and voting rights organizations during the 2020 elections.

OWN YOUR HEALTH leads with powerful narratives and actions exploring the full range of mental, physical and social/emotional well-being with the goal to provide messaging and tools that are informed, educational, relevant, and up to date with the latest developments as it relates to health and wellness. The campaign also provides opportunities for OWN brand partners to support with resources and promote healthier lifestyles.

Link to OWN YOUR HEALTH Website: www.ownyourhealth.tv Social Media Handles: Facebook Group: http://owntv.com/OWNYourHealth Twitter: www.twitter.com/ownyour // @OWNYour Instagram: www.instagram.com/ownyour // @OWNYour

About "OWN SPOTLIGHT"

"OWN Spotlight" presentations tackle issues and concerns facing Black lives. The programs feature candid and in-depth conversations that create real dialogue to inspire systematic change. Previous programs include a conversation with acclaimed actress Viola Davis; a conversation with singer/actress Andra Day; a special presentation on Ava DuVernay's short film "August 28;" an inspirational special celebrating Black Fatherhood and the special bonds they have with their children "They Call Me Dad;" a two-night special "Where Do We Go From Here?" that simulcast across the Discovery family of networks featuring Oprah and Black thought leaders discussing the current state of racism America; "Oprah and 100 Black Fathers" sharing the urgency of having "the talk" with their children and the dreams they have for the future of their families; "COVID-19: The Deadly Impact on Black America" that investigated the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Black communities; "Oprah At Home with Lupita Nyong'o and Cynthia Erivo," which examined colorism in Hollywood; "Oprah and Alicia Keys - The Interview" discussing Alicia Keys' new memoir "More Myself;" "When They See Us Now" featuring Oprah in conversation with award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and the cast from the acclaimed series "When They See Us" along with real men formerly known as the Central Park Five; "(In)Visible Portraits," which was a powerful celebration of Black women sharing their stories of struggle, resilience and beyond; and the follow-up documentary from D. Channsin Berry "Dark Girls 2" exploring the prejudices darker-skinned women face around the world.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel. OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers. OWN connects with its audience wherever they are, inspiring conversation among a global community of like-minded viewers on social media and beyond. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime on http://WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.