Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey hosted a special weekend of events promoting the upcoming release of Ava DuVernay’s Civil Rights drama, “Selma.” A VIP screening of the film was held on Saturday night along with an exclusive after party dubbed “Legends Ball 2014.”
The event references the 2005 “Legends Ball” where Winfrey honored some of the biggest African-American female entertainers, models, and artists including Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Iman, Cicely Tyson, Ruby Dee, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Maya Angelou and others. This year’s “Ball” recognized a number of civil and social justice pioneers who paved the way for equality in the United States.
“Selma” director Ava DuVerney with co-stars David Oyelowo & Carmen Ejogo
Special guests included the “Selma” cast: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Tessa Thompson, Niecy Nash, Lorraine Toussaint, Omar Dorsey, Andre Holland, Henry Sanders, Wendell Pierce, Jeremy Strong, Stephen Root, Corey Reynolds, Colman Domingo, Keith Stanfield, and Trai Byers along with Civil Rights Legends: Ambassador Andrew Young, Berry Gordy, Dr. C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Dick Gregory, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Juanita Jones Abernathy, Julian Bond, Marian Wright Edelman, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Quincy Jones and Sidney Poitier.
“Selma” stars Carmen Ejogo and Niecy Nash
Also in attendance were Martin Luther King III, Magic Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Babyface, Tyler Perry, Ellen DeGeneres, Stedman Graham, Gayle King, Portia de Rossi, Donna Brazile, Robin Roberts, Angela Bassett, Tracey Edmonds, Deion Sanders, Dr. Phil and more. There was also a Sunday Brunch that featured a soul-stirring performance from Gospel music icon, Bebe Winans.
“Selma” chronicles the landmark 1965 voting rights campaign regarded as the peak of the civil rights movement. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his band of brothers, the movement included several marches from Selma to Montgomery under dangerous opposition with one such event known as Bloody Sunday. The film produced by Pathe and Harpo Films will open in select theaters on December 25th.
Take a look at more photos below:
Smokey Robinson with Dick Gregory/Berry Gordy with Tyler Perry
Roland Martin with Quincy Jones
Robin Roberts and wife/”Selma” actress Lorraine Toussaint
“Selma” stars Common and Charity Jordan/Mr. and Mrs. Julian Bond
Stedman Graham with Sidney Poitier/Magic and Cookie Johnson
“For Better or Worse” star Kent Faulcon/Congressman John Lewis
Deion Sanders and Tracey Edmonds
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King III
Rev. Joseph Lowery with daughters/”Selma” actor E. Roger Mitchell and guest
Ambassador Andrew Young and wife/Babyface and Wife
“Selma” stars Colman Domingo and David Oyelowo
Angela Bassett/”Selma” actress Tessa Thompson
Photo Credits: Paramount /Michael Underwood / ABImages.