ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago to Celebrate Juneteenth with Special, ‘OUR CHICAGO: IN GOD WE TRUST…?’
Half-Hour Special, Hosted by Emmy Award-Winning ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor Cheryl Burton, Premieres Saturday, June 14, on ABC7 and Across ABC7’s Digital and Streaming Platforms
Photo Credit: Alx Galasinao
ABC 7 celebrates Juneteenth with the half-hour special, “Our Chicago: In God We Trust…?,” hosted by Emmy® Award-winning ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor and reporter Cheryl Burton. “Our Chicago: In God We Trust…?” examines the role of the Black church in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as both a spiritual refuge and an organizing hub. “Our Chicago: In God We Trust…?” airs Saturday, June 14, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 15, at 11 p.m. on ABC7, and will be available across ABC7’s digital and streaming platforms.
Through archival footage of Civil Rights-era religious leaders, including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and interviews with local pastors such as Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates of Progressive Baptist Church, Rev. Reginald Sharpe of Fellowship Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss of Trinity United Church of Christ, and Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, ABC 7 Chicago explores how these church leaders mobilized communities and inspired action in Chicago and across the nation.
The special will also investigate the role of money in the Civil Rights Movement, covering topics from the Black Panthers to prominent preachers like Rev. Jesse Jackson. “Our Chicago: In God We Trust…?” delves into capitalism and how the church sought to help level the economic playing field for African Americans.
About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 3.1 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces “Chicago Proud,” a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago. The station also produces the highest-rated New Year’s Eve special in Chicago, the nationally syndicated holiday kickoff special, “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,” and the award-winning series “Our Chicago,” which showcases the city’s diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what’s happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. The station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates to keep Chicago’s electorate informed and town halls where residents can share their concerns. ABC7’s outreach efforts include an annual partnership with local food banks, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. ABC7 also partners with the Red Cross for the Great Chicago Blood Drive, one of the largest, one-day blood drives in the country.
Follow ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Media Contact:
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com