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Type: ABC Owned Television Stations

Press Release

October 17, 2024

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC Owned Television Stations and Walt Disney World Resort Announce ‘Our America: In the Black – Disney Dreamers Academy’

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations and Walt Disney World Resort partner for the 30-minute special, “Our America: In the Black – Disney Dreamers Academy.” The latest inspirational episode from the “Our America” series showcases the transformative mentorship program and its impact on students while highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship. In the special, Disney Dreamers Academy pairs Disney Dreamer alum Te’Lario Watkins, who aspires to end food insecurity, with Daymond John of ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning series “Shark Tank.” John is one of several mentors who lend their time to Disney Dreamers Academy to empower the next generation of students to be champions of change. “Our America: In the Black – Disney Dreamers Academy” is available now across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms.

“Our America: In the Black – Disney Dreamers Academy” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations.

The Our America series is available on – 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

Anyone interested can apply or nominate a student for the 2025 program at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com now through Oct. 31, 2024.

Disney Dreamers Academy is one of the many examples of Walt Disney World’s commitment to supporting culturally diverse communities by inspiring young people to dream boldly, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the No. 1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including four stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

July 11, 2024

Media relations
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations Team Up With Array Filmworks To Present ‘Our America: Hidden Stories With Ava DuVernay’ Beginning July 14

Award-Winning Writer, Director and Producer Ava DuVernay Shares Personal Insight Into Her Highly Anticipated Film ‘ORIGIN’

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here. 

ABC Owned Television Stations in association with ARRAY Filmworks present “Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay,” beginning, Sunday, July 14, across ABC Owned Television Stations linear and digital platforms, and streaming on Hulu July 19. The compelling and educational one-hour special sheds light on the interconnected issues of caste through the lenses of racism, sexism and other various human hierarchies in America while drawing from thethemes in her landmark film “ORIGIN.” The special aims to engage, inform and inspire viewers to connect on a human level. 

Traveling across the United States, with interviews in Los Angeles, Houston and New York, conversation highlights include the following topics: 

The Making of “Origin” 
In a special “On The Red Carpet” segment, DuVernay shares insights into the making of her highly anticipated film “Origin,” her inspiration, and the intended takeaways for the audience. 

Book Bans 
DuVernay explores the controversy surrounding the attempted ban of Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste” in Texas schools, further highlighting the public’s influence on library and textbook decisions. 

Caste in America
“All of the ‘isms’ sit on top of caste.” In this segment, WABC-TV anchor Sade Baderinwa and DuVernay dissect the differences between caste, class and all the “isms” that are supported by sometimes seemingly hidden systems of dominance.  

 
Student Roundtable 
Lastly, DuVernay sits down for an enlightening roundtable discussion with current college students to gain insight into their passions and concerns and what motivates them to drive societal change. 

Additionally, the special aims to educate the audience on their role in caste systems, the concept of caste, the issues of othering and belonging to racism and injustice, and the responsibility we all have as a role of individuals in effecting positive change in our communities and our country. Online, viewers are invited to use DuVernay’s free Interactive tools, which will allow viewers access to an “ORIGIN” learning companion that explores how caste shows up in health care, education, technology, the legal system, and even environmental justice. These materials supplement the educational experience, encouraging further exploration and understanding of the film’s themes. 

“Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay” streams on Hulu beginning, Friday, July 19, and across the ABC Owned Television Stations streaming and digital platforms, and linear on the following dates:

Sunday, July 14
3:00 p.m. PDT             ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles

Monday, July 15
8:00 p.m. EDT             ABC Localish

Saturday, July 20
11:00 a.m. PDT            ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
1:00 p.m. EDT             ABC7/WABC-TV New York
8:30 p.m. PDT             ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, July 21
4:00 p.m. CDT             ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
6:00 p.m. EDT             ABC Localish

Saturday, July 27
12:30 p.m. CDT           ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston

Sunday, July 28
11:30 a.m. EDT            ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Sunday, Aug. 4
5:00 p.m. EDT             6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia 

“Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay” is executive produced by Ava DuVernay, Tammy Garnes, Paul Garnes, Tilane Jones and Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations. 

The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. 

About ORIGIN
Written, directed, and produced by Academy Award nominee, Ava DuVernay, ORIGIN explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience. With an expansive cast that includes Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, and Niecy Nash-Betts, the film was inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson’s novel Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Never stop learning with the ORIGIN Learning Companion at ORIGIN101.org.

About ABC Owned Television Stations  
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno.  With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.” 

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024.  They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including four stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube. 

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno. 

About ARRAY
ARRAY is a multi-platform media company and arts collective founded by Ava DuVernay focused on narrative change. The collective aims to amplify the work of underrepresented voices and stories in film through the distribution of diverse projects and the creation of original content. 

Media Contacts: 
Fonda Berosini 
fonda.berosini@abc.com  

Ambir Sniezko 
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

June 20, 2024

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Leslie Schwartz
leslie.schwartz.-ND@disney.com
Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations Announces Nine-Part Special ‘Our America: In the Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton’

A trailer for the first episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations’ thought-provoking “Our America: In The Black” series returns today, Thursday, June 20, with a nine-part special, “Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton.” Hosted by serial entrepreneur, investor and author Arlan Hamilton, the special continues the conversations surrounding financial health and wellness. The first episode is available now across ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms as well as on ABC News Live.

Each episode in the series features an intimate discussion with influential guests from business, entertainment and technology. Together, they share personal stories and insights on achieving financial health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of financial education and the pursuit of financial freedom. Timed to resonate with the themes of freedom surrounding Juneteenth and July Fourth, this series addresses the pressing issue of the lack of financial freedom in America. With 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and many lacking sufficient savings, Arlan Hamilton – who transformed her life from homelessness to raising over $30 million for startups through Backstage Capital – leads conversations that aim to inspire and empower viewers.

In the first episode, “Rachel Rodgers,” Hamilton sits down with her longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Rachel Rodgers. Rodgers, who founded the multimillion-dollar company, Hello Seven, which teaches diverse entrepreneurs how to earn more money and build wealth, talks about getting into the right mindset to be entrepreneurial and the importance of bridging the wealth gap.

Additional episodes in the series will be available over the summer and will spotlight the following interviews:

Episode 2:
“Lauren Chan” – For the second episode in the series, Hamilton sits down with Lauren Chan, a size-inclusion activist who created the plus-sized luxury fashion company, Henning. Chan, who is a former Sports Illustrated model and who identifies as plus-sized, AAPI, and LGBTQ+, talks about the importance of diverse representation in fashion and positions of power.

Episode 3:
“Holly Levow” – Hamilton is joined by fellow businesswoman Holly Levow, who runs two production companies, Equitas Entertainment Partners and Catalyst Studios. Levow, whose focus is on providing opportunities, investment and support for women and nonbinary talent, speaks on the importance of uplifting female voices in a way that is beneficial to everyone.

Episode 4:
“Dean Forbes” – Hamilton speaks with CEO Dean Forbes, who heads billion-dollar software company Forterro and is the chairman of the social mobility foundation Forbes Family Group. During their conversation, Forbes speaks about his struggles climbing the economic ladder and about his effort to elevate disadvantaged people through his position of power.

Episode 5:
“Suneera Madhani” – Hamilton sits with fellow businesswoman Suneera Madhani, who serves as the CEO of billion-dollar fintech company Stax Payments and the co-creator of fintech startup Worth AI. Madhani discusses her groundbreaking tech inventions that have the power to change business transactions and her desire to disrupt norms by hiring a diverse team.

Episode 6:
“Teri Ijeoma” – Hamilton sits with CEO Teri Ijeoma, who created the acclaimed online course, Trade and Travel. Ijeoma, who has a decade of successful, million-dollar-making stock trading experiences, speaks about her journey from teacher to businesswoman and provides advice for the next generation of traders.

Episode 7:
“Crystal Alonzo” – Hamilton speaks to actress Crystal Alonzo about her career as a comedian that propelled her family out of poverty. Alonzo explains how her success, which reached a pinnacle when she became the first Latina to create and star in her eponymous sitcom, “Cristela,” was attributed to her community and her familial relationships.

Episode 8:
“Bridgid Coulter Cheadle” – Hamilton sits down with small business owner Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, the founder of Blackbird – a workspace for women of color and their allies. During their chat, Cheadle discusses the power of physical spaces in connecting a community and the importance of uplifting marginalized people.

Episode 9:
“Lamar and Ronnie Tyler” – Hamilton sits down with married couple and business collaborators Lamar and Ronnie, who co-founded Traffic Sales & Profit, a business designed to elevate Black entrepreneurs into financial success. In the conversation, Lamar and Ronnie emphasize the importance of bringing Black people into a place of financial success and advise Black businesspeople to focus on cultivating their strengths. 

“Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations. The first installment of “Our America: In the Black” debuted in February and featured Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker talking about how technology can help bridge generational wealth gaps.  

The Our America series is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the No. 1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Leslie Schwartz
leslie.schwartz.-ND@disney.com

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