BET HER Presents ‘Becoming: Michelle Obama In Conversation’
Michelle Obama may as well as be coined a national treasure because she's the gift that keeps on giving. Not all former first ladies continue to use their worldwide platforms to enlighten and educate others after they leave the White House, but Obama isn’t like any other first lady in the country’s history for more reasons than one.
On what will be her 58th birthday, Obama sits down for an intimate conversation with young people to help inspire them in the most positive and productive direction possible.
BET HER presents “Becoming: Michelle Obama in Conversation” premiering on Monday, January 17 on BET and BET HER at 7 PM ET/PT. The conversation will be moderated by "Grown-ish" star Yara Shahidi who will help guide the discussion between Obama and students from 22 colleges across the country. They’ll talk about navigating young adulthood today including managing moments of mental health wellness, diversity and inclusion, and other issues dominating student bodies on college campuses.
“I have had the privilege of seeing Mrs. Obama on her Becoming book tour, alongside my mother and grandmother, and it is so clearly evident that Becoming has had an intergenerational impact,” said Shahidi. “I am grateful to have joined Mrs. Obama in bringing forward the themes of her book that resonate with myself and so many of my peers at this moment in our academic careers and life paths!"
Obama uses personal examples from her own upbringing detailed in her coming of age memoir, “Becoming” (Crown/Penguin Random House), which has also recently been adapted for young readers. Picking a positive path is one thing, but many of these students are also trying to walk the talk spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while also aiming to find their own voices and claim their own power as change makers impacting one community at a time.
“We are honored to continue our long-standing relationship with former First Lady Michelle Obama and this timely conversation will inspire viewers to reflect on their own stories and pursue their dreams in 2022,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “Becoming is an ever-evolving process, and we are proud to create a platform that fosters a community of empowerment and encourages dialogue for young women and men across the nation to thrive.”
The one-hour special was filmed at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, MD. and is part of BET and ViacomCBS Inc. “Content for Change” initiative.
For more information on “BET Her Presents…Becoming: Michelle Obama In Conversation” visit BET.com. Follow the social conversation using #BecomingOnBET.
