Oprah’s W MI focus group keeps dialogue open

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  — When Oprah Winfrey made a quick visit to Grand Rapids last month, no one really knew why she was here — except for a group of about 14 people.

Those men and women were part of a focus group that was featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” They, along with their family and friends, gathered at New Holland Brewing Company’s Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids Sunday to watch the episode air.

Many in the focus group thought it was just for a local company.

“Next thing we know, Oprah walks in and says, ‘Hey, y’all,'” Tom Nemcek said.

“We were pretty shocked,” Maggie Ryan said.

The conversation spanned many controversial topics. The goal was for participants to hear one another, even if they disagreed.

The 14 came with a variety of political, socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, with one thing in common: they were all from West Michigan. In her “60 Minutes” report, Winfrey touched on why the TV news magazine show chose Grand Rapids for the segment.

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Full story on WOODTV8


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