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Selma Stars Honor Civil Rights Legends with "A 21st-Century Freedom Song"

Aired on 01/18/2015 | CC tv-pg
In 2005, author Pearl Cleage wrote a poem for Oprah's Legends Ball called "We Speak Your Names," which was recited by "young 'uns" like Alicia Keyes, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. Almost 10 years later, Oprah called Pearl and asked her to write an original piece in honor of the civil rights heroes being celebrated during the Legends Who Paved the Way gala.

"We made a decision that all of the cast members [from Selma] would present those words to the Legends," Oprah says.

Watch as Oprah, David Oyelowo, Tessa Thompson and other cast members recite Pearl's poem "A 21st-Century Freedom Song."

More from Oprah Winfrey Presents Legends Who Paved the Way

Learn more about OWN's special monthlong celebration of the civil rights movement