Oprah To Honor Fathers Incorporated on Own Network Spotlight

Oprah is co-hosting OWN’s first-ever Father’s Day special, alongside actor Sterling K. Brown. Though Brown found fame (and two Emmy awards) as Randall Pearce on This Is Us, he says the “greatest role” of his life is as a father. Brown shares two sons with his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe.

Premiering on Tuesday, June 15 at 9 p.m. ET on OWN, Honoring Our Kings: OWN Celebrates Black Fatherhood spotlights fathers like Brown. “I am honored to celebrate these exceptional men who are my ‘Brothers in Fatherhood,’ and continue to shift the national perception of Black fathers,” Brown said in a statement, per OWN.

Oprah’s intention with the two-hour special is to show portraits of real Black fatherhood. “We want to honor the Black Kings who stand firm and proud in their role as a father, and celebrate the love and joy they bring to their families and communities,” she said.

To do so, the special will feature conversations with everyday dads and celebrity fathers, including Dwyane Wade. Wade’s 14-year-old daughter, Zaya, whom he is raising with wife Gabrielle Union, came out as transgender last year, and Wade has since been open about supporting her throughout her journey. “Me and my wife…are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud allies as well,” he said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last February. “We take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously.”

While the special will include public figures you may be familiar with, like Wade and his family, every story featured is equally important. “Our intention at OWN—across all of our programming—is to authentically portray the real-life experiences of African Americans,” said Tina Perry, OWN’s president. “We know, and our viewers know, the way Black fathers show up for their families.”

The special also aims to rewrite a narrative, disproving persistent media stereotypes about absent Black fathers. For executive producer Reginald Hudlin, this was especially meaningful. “There are so many Black Dads who give their all for their families who are never represented in the media. Sterling and I always compare notes on what’s best for our kids, and it’s wonderful to be able to take that conversation nationwide and replace inaccurate stereotypes with inspirational truths. You don’t have to be Black or a dad to enjoy the show, but if you are, you’re going to love it,” Hudlin said.

Oprah also reveals that the special will end with a moment that all audience members—dads or not—will be thrilled to see. Tune in on Tuesday, June 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN to find out exactly what the surprise is.