The Oprah Phenomenon

Oprah Winfrey has built an empire on her ability to connect with and inspire audiences. No longer just a name, "Oprah" is a brand representing the talk show host's unique style of self-actualizing individualism. The contributors to The Oprah Phenomenon examine the origins of her public image and its substantial influence on politics, entertainment, and popular opinion. They address praises, weigh criticisms, and examine Winfrey's assertion that anyone can be a success regardless of background or upbringing. Winfrey's inspirational messages and ability to create a feeling of intimacy with her audience have long been cited as the foundations of her popularity. She has repeatedly made national headlines by engaging and informing her audience about issues related to race, gender, feminism, and New Age culture. The Oprah Phenomenon: Updated Edition adds new information, including Oprah's influence on the Obama presidential campaign and the opening of The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, while promoting a greater understanding of Winfrey's influence on the American consciousness.Jennifer Harris is assistant professor of English at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada. Her articles and essays have appeared in several journals, including African American Review and The Journal of American Culture; and books, including Turbo Chicks: Talking Young Feminisms.Elwood Watson, professor of history at East Tennessee State University, is the editor of several books, including "There She Is, Miss America": The Politics of Sex, Beauty, and Race in America's Most Famous Pageant, Outsiders Within: Black Women in the Legal Academy After Brown v. Board, and Searching The Soul of Ally McBeal: Critical Essays.