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Oprah Winfrey Academy graduate speaks about future, ‘Mom O'

By Stephanie Maxwell
By Stephanie Maxwell

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Media mogul Oprah Winfrey will visit Charlotte May 15 as the commencement speaker for Johnson C. Smith University.

She's like family to some of the students, who know her as "Mom O.”

In 2011, Thando Dlomo let Winfrey know that she had big dreams once she graduated from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

She remembers when she was one of 72 girls invited to be part of the inaugural class after the school received thousands of applications.

"These are all girls who are like top 10 in their school, the best at this, the best at that, with all sorts of beautiful accolades,” Dlomo said. “And when you go in there, you realize you're not number one anymore."

She said her classmates, whom she calls "sisters," at the Leadership Academy pushed her beyond her imagination to come to America and attend Johnson C. Smith University. She said she can't offer enough thanks to Winfrey, whom she calls "Mom O” and who gave her an opportunity that many girls in South Africa don't get.

"She has high expectations for us. She always says, 'The only thing I expect of you is for you to be the best you you can be,'” Dlomo said.

Dlomo said she can see her personal growth over the years, including holding the title of Miss JCSU. Now she can celebrate her next accomplishment: graduation on May 15, with Mom O making good on a promise to be there and serving as commencement speaker.

"It's a very beautiful moment. I know she's proud of all of us,” Dlomo said.

Another Oprah Leadership Academy student, Mpumi Nobiva, will also graduate from JCSU.

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