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Still Together: Oprah and Stedman Make Rare Appearance in New Jersey

Posted Sep 3rd 2008 12:12PM by Jawn Murray
Filed under: BV Buzz, Entertainment

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.comOprah Winfrey & Stedman Graham

Not that I ever believed the crazy tabloid fodder that Oprah Winfrey was dating Tyler Perry – I'm sure by now you saw that ridiculous 'National Enquirer' cover story as well – but the talk show titan put those rumors to rest when she showed up with her longtime beau Stedman Graham at a community festival in a rural New Jersey town this past weekend.

The "Queen of Television" appeared with her boyfriend, businessman Graham, who is a native of Whitesboro, New Jersey and a graduate of Middle Township schools.

The two were there for Whitesboro's community festival.

Oprah Winfrey Pictures

    Talk show host Oprah Winfrey (C) joins more than 175 US Olympic medalists, including swimmer Michael Phelps (front row 3rd L), for the 23rd season premiere episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at Millennium Park in Chicago September 3, 2008. REUTERS/George Burns/Harpo Productions, Inc./Handout (UNITED STATES). NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

    Reuters

    Talk show host Oprah Winfrey joins more than 175 US Olympic medalists for the 23rd season premiere episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at Millennium Park in Chicago September 3, 2008. REUTERS/George Burns/Harpo Productions, Inc./Handout (UNITED STATES). NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

    Reuters

    In this photo released by Harpo Productions is Oprah Winfrey, center front, with the U.S. Olympic athletes that were invited to join her Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, for the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago's Millennium Park. The show, which will air on Monday, Sept. 8, was at once a welcome home for the athletes and a pep rally for the United States and Chicago, which hopes to host the 2016 Games. (AP Photo/Harpo Production, George Burns) **NO SALES**

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Olympic gymnastics medalists Nastia Liukin, right, Samantha Peszek, center, and Alicia Sacramone pose for picture as they arrive for the taping of the 23rd season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Members of the silver medal Olympic softball team pose for a picture as they arrive for the taping of the 23rd season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** U.S. Olympic athletes line the stage with Oprah Winfrey for the taping of the season premiere of her talk show Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Chicago's Millennium Park. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    Olympic bronze medal heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder greets fans as he arrives for the taping of the 23rd season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. The talk show host invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her. The athletes were introduced under a shower of red, white and blue confetti. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Oprah Winfrey and Olympic women's basketball gold medalist Lisa Leslie, left, and men's basketball gold medalist Carlos Boozer, back right, greet fans as they arrive for the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Chicago's Millennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

    ** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Oprah Winfrey, center, hugs Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin as gold medalist Michael Phelps, behind Liukin, applauds during the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Chicago's Millennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

    AP

Oprah Winfrey & Tyler Perry on vacation in Italy

At least 500 people from across the region came to hear Winfrey speak at a reunion of Middle Township School District alumni and members of the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, a group dedicated to improving the small town.

Whitesboro is a tiny, rural community founded in 1901 as a settlement for African Americans leaving the South.

Graham has been actively involved in many of the group's initiatives, including renovating public facilities and sports fields.

According to the 'Cherry Hill Courier Post,' Winfrey commanded the podium with stories about the importance of voting, the necessity of education and the all-knowing spirit of Jesus. (I wonder what all of these pastors who constantly preach against Winfrey will have to say about her acknowledging Jesus?)

The crowd also sang a unison verse of the gospel hymn, 'I Surrender All.'

Winfrey also pledged $1 million to local educational scholarships in the coming years. She gave her first installment of $220,000 before she left.

"We grew up when getting straight A's didn't mean you were trying toOprah Winfrey act white, but you were trying to act right," Winfrey said to the cheering crowd. "There is no greater chance for success than education."

Before she made the announcement that brought the locals to tears, Winfrey complained at how society was allowing mediocrity to prevail, failing children and watching too many students fall through the cracks.

Without education, she and Graham would not be where they are, she emphasized.

She implored people to find the possible in the impossible, and strive for your dreams.

The multiple-award winning TV host, who had just flown back from the Democratic National Convention in Denver , said they cannot fight and make change without voting, and of course, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the man for the job. But just the performing the act of voting would please her.

Stedman Graham & Oprah WinfreyWinfrey emphasized that she is rarely political, but she has been compelled to get involved.

"But if you're not willing to stand up for what you believe in, then you can sit down and shut up," said Winfrey, who last gave a speech in the Cape May County town in 1998.

Community leaders declared the day in honor of Graham, and everyone thanked his mother, Mary Graham.

"It was a nice day. I liked it all," Mary Graham said after the presentations.



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Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Stedman's no dummy. He ain't goin nowhere. Oprah can have busted up feet, jacked up weave and look a hot mess w/out makeup, and that dude still stayin put.

Ali at 12:20PM on Sep 3rd 2008

2. OPRAH ALWAYS DOING FOR OTHERS... ALI YOU PROBABLY DON'T LOOK THAT GOOD ANYWAY... THE PROBLEM IS MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT USE TO HAVING AND BEING IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE SO THEY WILL FIND THE MOST EVIL STUPID THING THAT COMES TO MIND... OPRAH MAYBE NOT BE THE PRETTIEST IN THE BUNCH BUT SHE SURELY IS THE SMARTEST
GO OPRAH

MissWanda at 6:43PM on Sep 3rd 2008

3. I hope Oprah continues to support Obama.
A Black woman called the radio station and said she lives in Alaska and that Sarah refused to meet with the Black Caucus there. She said she had no room on her calendar to meet with "Special Interest Groups." So that's what Black people can expect from her if she gets in the White House.

rhonda at 12:15AM on Sep 4th 2008

4. I wish Oprah would either marry Stedman or drop him. She is living in sin and sending the wrong message to young people who look up to her. She has left the truth of the bible for the lie of the humanist. Oprah what does it profit a woman to gain the whole world and loose your soul.
I did hear and hope it is true, that she has seen the light and has stopped surporting Obama. Obama fans need to read "Because they hate" by Brigitte Gabriel.

Beth Jackson at 1:48AM on Sep 4th 2008

5. Oprah should breakup with Stedman and find a man who really loves her and she loves enough to marry. She is setting a very bad example for young people by living in sin. Oprah needs to return to her christian beliefs and values. She has become a humanist. Oprah, what does it profit you if you gain the world and loose your soul.

I heard Oprah has come to her senses and stopped supporting Obama. Obama supporters need to read "Because They Hate" by Brigitte Gabriel . Obama has strong Muslim ties and Muslims hate blacks. They use them for their political help then kill them. Read it for yourself.

Beth Jackson at 1:57AM on Sep 4th 2008

6. Oprah is living in sin ,,she is not an example to the world, I do not even watch her show anymore she is so phony, swaying with every new move , she needs to get a grip on GOD and quit talking a higher power, get married and be an example to young and single women and get a life, stedman is there for the money, yeah he supports the school etc...but I can bet your buttons most of what he is doing is with Oprahs money shame on you Oprah buying a man all your life....get a life....you need JESUS!

tt at 6:18AM on Sep 4th 2008

7. Wow it's amazing how many people know what Oprah needs to do. Where are you in your life? What have you done for your community? Or what have you done for one person. God does the judging and he is going to judge Oprah and you and every human being. According to scripture "it is appointed unto to man once to die and than the judgement" so while we have life in our bodies we should make sure our house is in order because noone knows where death is. God is of no repecter of person.
Have you notice how death has visited a lot of high profile people lately. Come on Chrisitian sisters and brothers pray for
Oprah and others whose lives are displayed before us everyday.

LINDA at 8:01AM on Sep 4th 2008

8. Oprah Winfrey is one of the most profficient Black
Women in America, She has alway been a women of value;
who cared for the live of many people, not only Black
but many, many other. I consider her to be a ambassador for this country. She has contribute greatly to the education, moral & christian value for many. If you are looking to find fault in one, you will fine it. But if you looking for truth, it's alway there, you don't have to look any farther.

Pam Fairley at 10:11AM on Sep 4th 2008

9. Oprah than you for being you and doing what you do to help others. I get so tired f folk talkingabout what others do in their lives and being an example for the younger generation. The problem withthat people are not taking responsibilty for their own young folk. Our kids should not have to look at TV or Sport figures to have role models, we the parents are to be our childrens role models, have your kids look to someone they can see and feel, an aunt or uncle, grandparents, teachers, those are the folks kids should be looking up to as role models someone theyc an talk to and ask then what gives them their drive to succeed and do well, if we take the time to know what our children do in school, at home int hebeighborhood then we can show them ourselves that we are their role models. Oprah do your thing and keep doing what you do, your life is your life. and for those of you who like to quote the Bible to make your comments better here is a good for you. The word of God says "we stand in judgement for ourselves and that God will judge us accordingly" so before you go passing judgement on someone else, make sure that your life is in order and that you are doing what is pleasing to God.

Kevin B at 10:14AM on Sep 4th 2008

10. Oprah Winfrey is a Proficient Women, who has alway
cared more for other than herself. She shoould be
an amassador for this country. Her moral value
exemplify a true christian. She care for many. She has help many. If we are looking for fault in someone else life is because our life is empty. We most learn; how to build one another up. I'm very proud that Oprah Winfrey is one of the most greatest gift, that God let come out of the State of Mississippi. She truly has arrived & is powerful, that my friend no man can take away.

Pam Fairley at 10:26AM on Sep 4th 2008

11. LET'S NOT FORGET OPRAH IS A BILLIONARE, SHE CAN DO WHATEVER SHE PLEASES. OF COURSE SHE ENJOYS HELPING OTHERS, SO THAT'S WHY IS IS A BLESSED WOMAN. MAKE NO MISTAKE OPRAH KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE IS DOING, I'M PRETTY SURE THERE ARE MILLIONS WHO WISHED THEY HAD HALF THE MONEY THIS LADY HAS. KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING OPRAH, MORE POWER TO YOU.

GEE at 10:30AM on Sep 4th 2008

12. Sometimes I think we as people-christians inparticulary- look, discuss, and cast judgement on the sin of other people that we can "see". The big picture is that a sin is a sin in the sight of God. So instead of casting judgement on Oprah and Steadman get that plank out of your own eye first. If we spend more time working on ourselves, we would have less time to tell people what they should or should not do.

S. Lyle at 11:19AM on Sep 4th 2008

13. Why are people so concerned with what other people do? And who are these people to judge others. Live your own life and help your own families and stop worrying about what other people do. You people act as if you have no sins. Get a life of your own.

carla at 11:44AM on Sep 4th 2008

14. i for one respect Oprah shes not one of the uptight blacks that holds on to their money. Shes willing to share it while shes alive and give where it is needed. I read an earlier comment that Oprah "needs to see the light and stop supporting Obama"...ok you must be one of the racist people we have left in 2008. What has Obama done that would justify anyone to change their views. If you support McCain and Palin fine. That doesnt mean the rest of us Obama supporters are under some kind of dark cloud. How is she living in sin? There are millions of single BLACK women, including my mother...does that mean shes living in sin also? You need to see the light on the ignorant crap your writing. AND not every Muslim hates blacks. SMFH instead of reading this nonsense, go talk to some real Muslims for yourself and see if there against the enitre African American community. I can easily say ALL white people hate blacks, but they dont. I know quite a few who can make the greatest friends. But that doesnt eliminate the fact that any group can have racism. So before you write again BETH...use your brain!!!!!

Nesh at 3:46PM on Sep 4th 2008

15. As usual, the people who don't know or watch Oprah, whose plans for her have not worked in THEIR lives, who have no Black history context, and who are consumed by an angry envy, havecome out of the wood pile. BEFORE the on slaught of "religious" people, who are now PUBLICLY stating the tenets of faith and belief
(scripture for those of you who require specifics) as the road maps for living our best lives (all aspects of it), Oprah was strong enough to take the flak for changing her format to one that reflected what she believed. She will respond to her critics the way she usually does, not at all. She does not waste time taking advice from people who are angry that she has money because she knows that she EARNED it by convincing people that they could be prosperous to, if they the scriptured principles that lead to "prosperity". IF Oprah has issues with God, when did he appoint YOU to deal with them for HIM? Whatever they are, He has given her the grace and charity if heart to not unleash her on people like you. Instead, He seems to have blessed her ( as she daily SAYS ), by giving her favor and commissioning her to share all parts of her journey to a better life, including her money, with those who need to see how His plan can and will work, IF you know him. Pick a subject, a problem, an issue being dealt with in church, politics, the streets, in the spirit, the body,or in the soul today. Go back 15 years and you'll find Oprah. When you own your own companies, you can AFFORD to be who you say you are and do what God wants you to do. TO Beth - Join Oprah's Book Club and let your first book be THE BIBLE! TO Monda -
Are you registered to vote? TO Ali, Beth, an tt - Yyou have homework! Research Stedman BEFORE and NOW, with regards to his credentials and stop the ugly jealousy of Oprah based on YOUR experiences with men
who are apparently dependent on women whose insecurities about how they look make them "supportive" of the men. Remember - Stedman was usccessful BEFORE he met Oprah and she was NOT the woman she has become. What would Jesus say?

Barbara Smith at 4:46PM on Sep 4th 2008

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