Susan and Essence are working on another effort to help children—the Essence Music Festival, a party with a purpose. The event will be held in New Orleans on July 5, 6 and 7. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Children's Defense Fund's Freedom Schools to help those still trying to make ends meet after Hurricane Katrina. "The people there are struggling. Come help us to bring the city back," Susan says. "We want to make sure that every child in New Orleans has an opportunity to go to a freedom school."

Whether you attend the festival or volunteer as a mentor, Susan emphasizes that making a change is very doable. "For every problem there's a solution, and we're the answer," Susan says. "Children of any race in this country, they're not doing well. And it's our responsibility as elders to first nurture ourselves. Take care of ourselves so that we bring our best selves to parenting and to mentoring. … Let us save ourselves."

"I believe one of the most important questions any of us can ever ask of ourselves is, 'What and how can I be of service?'" Oprah says. "It doesn't take a Harvard degree or millions of dollars to make a difference in a child's life. … It just really takes a commitment and a will to do better."