Black Media Mavens

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Oprah Winfrey - In 2011, Oprah and more than 350 of her staff members went vegan for a week-long health challenge. Oprah took her challenge to the next level, doing it for 21 full days. The former Queen of Daytime claimed that eating clean allowed her to be more aware of her old eating habits and the inhumane ways that meat can be processed in the U.S. (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for Hearst)

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Black Media Mavens - When it comes to breaking down barriers, Black media mavens are trailblazers and the movers and shakers in the communications industry. They inspire and have gone above and beyond to prove that anything men can do, women can do better! See which media mavens have inspired Mary Jane and remember that Being Mary Jane is back tonight at 10P/9C! Oprah Winfrey From a small town in Mississippi to the top of the world, Oprah Winfrey's multi-billion dollar empire is the result of years of hard work, dedication and the perfection of her craft as a journalist and her role as one of the world's leading media professionals. From conducting interviews to owning her own network, there isn't a thing that Oprah can't do.(Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for Hearst)

Shaun Robinson - This maven hails from Detroit and started at a small TV station in Milwaukee. From humble beginnings to becoming known as the face of Access Hollywood, Shaun Robinson has gone on to act and do correspondence for a plethora of outlets including BET. Don't miss her tonight starting at 8P/7C for exclusive interviews with the cast in Being Mary Jane: Intimate Edition.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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Shaun Robinson - This maven hails from Detroit and started at a small TV station in Milwaukee. From humble beginnings to becoming known as the face of Access Hollywood, Shaun Robinson has gone on to act and do correspondence for a plethora of outlets including BET. Don't miss her tonight starting at 8P/7C for exclusive interviews with the cast in Being Mary Jane: Intimate Edition.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

Robin Roberts - Robin Roberts is a survivor and an inspiration to people everywhere. Like Oprah, Robin Roberts was born in Mississippi and studied communications while in college. At the age of 29, she started hosting ESPN's Sportscenter and soon after she began guest appearances on Good Morning America. In 2005 she became the co-anchor of GMA and one familiar face that Americans love to see first thing in the morning. Since her tenure at ABC she has taken leaves of absence to undergo treatments for breast cancer and a rare blood disorder. After successfully completing both treatments she returned to the show in  February 2013. Her tenacity and strength inspired people everywhere and proved that when you want something bad enough and have a gift to share, nothing can stop you from shining.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

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Robin Roberts - Robin Roberts is a survivor and an inspiration to people everywhere. Like Oprah, Robin Roberts was born in Mississippi and studied communications while in college. At the age of 29, she started hosting ESPN's Sportscenter and soon after she began guest appearances on Good Morning America. In 2005 she became the co-anchor of GMA and one familiar face that Americans love to see first thing in the morning. Since her tenure at ABC she has taken leaves of absence to undergo treatments for breast cancer and a rare blood disorder. After successfully completing both treatments she returned to the show in  February 2013. Her tenacity and strength inspired people everywhere and proved that when you want something bad enough and have a gift to share, nothing can stop you from shining.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

Gayle King: December 28 - Oprah Winfrey's bestie turns 59 years old this week.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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Gayle King - Besides being Oprah's best friend, Gayle King is quite the media maven herself. After graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, Gayle went on to become an award-winning journalist. After 18 years as an anchor in Hartford, Connecticut, Gayle King became the co-anchor of CBS This Morning in 2011. She also is the editor-at-large of O Magazine and the host of The Gayle King Show.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Melissa Harris-Perry - After receiving her B.A. in English and her Ph.D. in political science, Melissa Harris-Perry was ready to take on the world. Besides being a college professor, Harris-Perry is an award-winning author, a lecturer and the host of her self-titled show on MSNBC, where no topic is off limits. Melissa Harris-Perry is a leader that we should all follow if we believe in being the change that we want to see. (Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)

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Melissa Harris-Perry - After receiving her B.A. in English and her Ph.D. in political science, Melissa Harris-Perry was ready to take on the world. Besides being a college professor, Harris-Perry is an award-winning author, a lecturer and the host of her self-titled show on MSNBC, where no topic is off limits. Melissa Harris-Perry is a leader that we should all follow if we believe in being the change that we want to see. (Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)

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Jacque Reid - Former BET Nightly News anchor Jacque Reid is a media maven to watch. With a B.A. in print journalism and an M.A. in broadcast journalism, Jacque is well-rounded when it comes to media. Since her tenure at BET she has gone on to contribute to The Joy Behar Show, Larry King Live and occasional co-host of The View. She is currently the co-host of New York Live on NBC.(Photo: Rabbani and Solimne Photography/Getty Images for H&M)

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Jacque Reid - Former BET Nightly News anchor Jacque Reid is a media maven to watch. With a B.A. in print journalism and an M.A. in broadcast journalism, Jacque is well-rounded when it comes to media. Since her tenure at BET she has gone on to contribute to The Joy Behar Show, Larry King Live and occasional co-host of The View. She is currently the co-host of New York Live on NBC.(Photo: Rabbani and Solimne Photography/Getty Images for H&M)

Wendy Williams - @WendyWilliams: "Rest peacefully Mr. Mandela. Your strength & determination will forever inspire."

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Wendy Williams - Hailing from New Jersey, Wendy Williams is one media maven that made it to the top of her game and kept on going. The "Queen of All Media," started her career in radio while at Northeastern University. After a few radio gigs post-college, Wendy Williams finally found her niche at New York's WBLS where The Wendy Williams Experience was born. With a loyal following, Wendy has since authored a few New York Times best sellers, is in the fifth year of her talk show and has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.(Photo: Alberto Reyes/WENN.com)

Alicia Quarles - After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Southern California, Alicia Quarles hit the ground running. Currently the New York correspondent for E!, Quarles started her career with the Associated Press as an entertainment reporter and producer. She eventually became the Global Entertainment and Lifestyles editor, where she covered everything from pop music to President Obama's inauguration. She is also a regular contributor on MSNBC and Today.(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for IFP)

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Alicia Quarles - After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Southern California, Alicia Quarles hit the ground running. Currently the New York correspondent for E!, Quarles started her career with the Associated Press as an entertainment reporter and producer. She eventually became the Global Entertainment and Lifestyles editor, where she covered everything from pop music to President Obama's inauguration. She is also a regular contributor on MSNBC and Today.(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for IFP)

Tamron Hall on fighting to stop domestic abuse for her sister: - "I failed to help someone I admired and loved. I left her hanging because I didn't know what to say or how to help. In my deepest, darkest thoughts I felt she could make a situation better and 'chose' not to."(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Tamron Hall - When it comes to delivering the news in style, Tamron Hall is always on the job. The accomplished broadcast journalist is the anchor of MSNBC's NewsNation. She has contributed to Dateline and is a frequent guest co-host on Today. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)