Oprah Winfrey

Oprah's Inspirational Commencement Speech at JCSU | Oprah Winfrey Network

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• published: 26 May 2016
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Oprah had powerful words of wisdom for the graduating class of 2016 at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina. The event was particularly close to Oprah's heart because two students from the inaugural class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa were part of the commencement ceremony. In 2002, Oprah says, she visited Nelson Mandela, who encouraged her to build the Leadership Academy. "Nothing would keep me from being here to celebrate the promise that I made to Nelson Mandela over 10 years ago," Oprah says. Sharing a story from her own childhood about how she realized that she had a greater calling, Oprah stresses the importance of always trusting your inner voice. "I have been led by that little voice my entire life," she says. "That voice is your energy. It is your intuition. It is your voice of God, your higher power, your higher self that everybody has that allows you to make the right decision even when other people are wrong, that allows you to do the right thing when nobody and especially when nobody else is watching." Recalling something Dr. Maya Angelou used to say to her, Oprah says: "Your crown has been paid for, and your number one job is to put it on your head and wear it." However, she says, you can't do justice to the crown "unless you know who you are, where you come from, and the true sacrifice and hope and tears and struggle that went into making you who you are. Because you didn't do it alone."Oprah also has stirring words about how you shouldn't let failure define you. "Every stumble is not a fall, and every fall does not mean failure," she says. "Being human means you will make mistakes. And you will make mistakes because failure is God's way of moving you in another direction." To end her touching speech, Oprah says, "You make me proud, and your future's so bright, JCSU, it burns my eyes. Go with God." SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/1vqD1PN 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. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. Discover OWN TV: Find OWN on you TV!: http://bit.ly/1wJ0ugI Our Fantastic Lineup: http://bit.ly/1qMi2jE Connect with OWN Online: Visit the OWN WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/1qMi2jE Like OWN on FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/1AXYujp Follow OWN on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/1sJin8Y Follow OWN on INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/LnqzMz Follow OWN on PINTEREST: http://bit.ly/1u0CqR6 Oprah's Inspirational Commencement Speech at JCSU | Oprah Winfrey Network http://www.youtube.com/user/OWN