Soledad O'Brien's "Matter of Fact Listening Tour" Takes on the Hard Truth About Bias
The journalist's new virtual forum brings experts like Jemele Hill and Alicia Garza together for poignant discussions about race and justice.
A contentious election, a brutal pandemic, and waves of protests condemning racism and police brutality have made 2020 a year like no other. While it's been challenging—to say the least—the year has also brought us unprecedented movement and motivation to create real change.
Bringing different voices together—and giving them the platforms and power to make a lasting impact—is crucial for helping society move forward, or so believes acclaimed journalist and philanthropist Soledad O'Brien. To extend one of the biggest conversations in America today, O'Brien is expanding her half-hour weekly talk show, Matter of Fact, to launch the Matter of Fact Listening Tour, an ongoing series of forums that dig into the most pervasive problems surrounding race and injustice in the United States. (You can read Marie Claire's interview with O'Brien about the tour here.)
Starting October 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. EST, O'Brien will lead four virtual broadcasts, each available to livestream at matteroffact.tv and below. Expect to see a number of familiar faces: The first episode, which will hone in on bias, will feature White Fragility author Robin DiAngelo, Stanford social psychologist Jennifer Ebarhardt, former NBA athlete Etan Thomas, sociologist Rashawn Ray, and journalist Jemele Hill. Subsequent episodes will include appearances from journalists Wes Lowery, Maria Hinajosa, and Joie Chen, as well as activists including Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and Brenda White Bull, the great-great-granddaughter of Lakota leader Sitting Bull.
Bookmark this page and watch the broadcast below.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Puckett-Pope is an associate editor at ELLE, where she covers news and culture.
-
Bella Hadid Serves Rocker-Chic Meets Scandi Girl
The model piled on the winter trends for an outing in New York City.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate are Experiencing "Calm Before the Storm" as They Prep for Throne
"They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives," a source says.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Blue Ivy Carter’s ‘Mufasa’ Makeup Is Causing Controversy
Allow Black girls to experiment with beauty in peace.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
By Emily Tisch Sussman Last updated
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich Published
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun Safety
The Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
By Sen. Tammy Duckworth Published
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
By Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, hosts of Pantsuit Politics Podcast Published
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.
Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
By Dr. Devin J. Buckley and Erin Regan Published
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water
"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
By Amanda L. As Told To Rachel Epstein Published