While I did not know her, I knew of her, as a teen. She was just one of the crowd at East Nashville High School, they all looked alike to me back then. No I was not prejudiced, I just was not allowed to associate with anyone other than white. (My Mom is one of the most prejudiced people on Earth). When I went home after Basic Training, I was in shock when I saw Oprah doing the local News on TV. She was the first Black Person I had ever seen on a Nashville TV station.
Next thing I heard she was doing Movies, and big TV talk shows. She is a self made Woman, she made herself what she is today. While I don't agree with her philosophy, I have the utmost respect for her. But I do not want to see her in politics, her ideas would not be good for the country.
I saw the sign for her fathers barber shop every morning for years, but I did not connect it to Oprah. I never knew Oprah's last name till after she became a professional, then I realized that the Barber was her father.