Press Release

October 22, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

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Martin Ortiz Named President and General Manager of ABC 30/KFSN-TV Fresno

Martin Ortiz has been promoted to president and general manager of ABC 30/KFSN-TV – the No. 1 source for local news in central California – it was announced today by ABC Owned Television Stations President Chad Matthews. Ortiz has been KFSN-TV’s news director since 2020, overseeing coverage of several major stories, including the Creek Fire in 2020 and the historic 2023 winter storms that led to the reformation of the dormant Tulare Lake. The news comes soon after it was announced that former KFSN President and General Manager Mike Carr is now running ABC13/KTRK-TV in Houston.

“Martin has been invaluable in helping to grow ABC30’s viewership across dayparts and platforms,” said Matthews. “He has a passion and commitment to storytelling, a keen sense of how to develop and grow opportunities for our business, and a deep understanding of Central California that I know are going to be invaluable in leading the station.”

“I grew up watching Action News and had the great honor of starting my career here,” said Ortiz. “It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated storytellers in Central California and to put my passion for local news to work in the community I’m proud to call home. ABC30 has an enduring relationship with our viewers that we never take for granted. I’m very much looking forward to building on that connection, leading this exceptional team, and growing viewership across platforms.”

With a focus on breaking news, severe weather and community storytelling – Ortiz has helped steer ABC30 Action News during a time of great ratings growth in crucial periods across all dayparts, including the critical 6 a.m., 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He was also instrumental in the successful expansion of multiple newscasts on several platforms, including new 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. shows. Ortiz also worked with station department heads to help launch the ABC30 Central California 24/7 stream, the only local 24/7 streaming platform in the Fresno DMA.

Before joining the Fresno team, Ortiz served as an executive producer at ABC Owned Television Stations’ San Francisco station ABC7/KGO-TV, where he was in charge of morning news and oversaw the expansion of the 11 a.m. newscast to a full hour.

Ortiz is a Central California native who started his local television career at KFSN-TV as a college intern before joining the team full time as an assignment editor and producer. He is a proud California State University, Fresno, graduate and a member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). He is also the co-lead of ABC OTV Belong and an ABC News Pride BERG member.

About ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
KFSN-TV ABC30 is the No. 1 source for local news in central California, both online and on the air. The station has dominated the local news ratings in the San Joaquin Valley for decades as a leader in multiplatform audience engagement. KFSN-TV is an ABC owned television station based in Fresno, serving Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare and Kings counties.

Follow ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@disney.com
(818) 441-4983

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@disney.com
(818) 319-3257

Martin Ortiz is president and general manager of KFSN-TV, where he has overall management responsibility for KFSN-TV ABC30 and its ancillary businesses.

Martin Ortiz previously worked as KFSN-TV’s news director, overseeing coverage of several major stories, including the Creek Fire in 2020 and the historic 2023 winter storms that led to the reformation of the dormant Tulare Lake. With a focus on breaking news, severe weather and community storytelling – Ortiz helped steer ABC30 Action News during a time of great ratings growth in crucial periods across all dayparts, including the critical 6 a.m., 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He was also instrumental in the successful expansion of multiple newscasts on several platforms, including new 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. shows.

Ortiz also worked with station department heads to help launch the ABC30 Central California 24/7 stream, the only local 24/7 streaming platform in the Fresno DMA.

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.

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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

October 2, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Leslie Schwartz

leslie.schwartz.-ND@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

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ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles To Host California US Senate Candidate Forum With Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 5 P.M. PDT

Event Co-Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of California in Partnership With Univision

Forum Will Also Broadcast Live on ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno

ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor Marc Brown To Moderate Live Panel That Includes
ABC7 San Francisco News Anchor Kristen Sze, ABC30 Fresno Action News Live Anchor
Warren Armstrong and Univision Los Angeles Anchor Gabriela Teissier

Media Credential Application Is Now Open; Deadline Is Friday, Oct. 4

KABC-TV Los Angeles is hosting the 2024 California U.S. Senate Candidate Forum with professional baseball representative Steve Garvey with Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA 30th District) on Tuesday, Oct. 8 (5:00-6:00 p.m. PDT). The event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of California and will air live on ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno, as well as the stations’ digital platforms, ABC News Live, univision34.com and The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund’s YouTube channel. Univision Los Angeles will rebroadcast the forum in Spanish on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at noon PDT via its flagship station KMEX-TV.

Press can request credentials for the debate hall and spin roomhere.

ABC7 Los Angeles, Eyewitness News anchor Marc Brown will moderate the discussion and will be joined by ABC7 San Francisco News anchor Kristen Sze, ABC30 Fresno Action News Live anchor Warren Armstrong and Univision Los Angeles anchor Gabriela Teissier, who will ask questions as panelists. The 2024 California US Senate Candidate Forum will spotlight California’s only statewide political contest.

The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization committed to making California’s democracy open, accessible, accountable to the people, and representative of California’s vast diversity. The LWVC works to get all of California’s voters understandable election information, so every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.

Media Credential Application
ABC7 is inviting the press to request credentials for the debate hall and spin room. Members of the press can submit applications using the following link: https://kabccandidateforum.com/

Please submit one form per applicant.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 5, at noon. Applications will not be accepted after this date. All applications will be subject to approval and availability. Approved applicants will have access to the debate hall and/or spin room. Select photographers will have access to the debate hall for a photo spray.

For questions regarding media credentials, please email ABCTV.KABCPress@abc.com.

About Univision Los Angeles

Univision Los Angeles is home to two television (KMEX-TV, KFTR-TV) and three radio stations (KLVE FM, KSCA FM and KRCD FM) owned by TelevisaUnivision, the world’s leading Spanish-language media company. Univision Los Angeles includes the Emmy Award-winning and nationally recognized flagship television station Univision 34, which for more than 50 years has been the trusted news leader in L.A. among Hispanics. Univision Los Angeles has been recognized by the Associated Press Television and Radio Association, the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences L.A. Area Chapter Emmy® Awards. For more information, please visit www.univision34.com.

Follow Univision on Instagram, X and Facebook.

About ABC News Live
ABC News Live is ABC News’ award-winning 24/7 streaming news channel with live coverage as news breaks, up-to-the-minute reports, powerful interviews and special features produced by world-class storytellers.The network’s evening news show, “Prime with Linsey Davis,” airs weeknights beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. ABC News Live is currently available to more than 370 million streamerswith its distribution on Hulu, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, YouTube, YouTube TV, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon’s news app on Fire tablets and Fire TV devices, Xumo, Sling TV, fuboTV, Haystack News, Facebook, Twitter, ABCNews.com, the ABC News and ABC mobile apps, and standalone ABC News Live apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku and Apple TV, ABC News Live content is also distributed to our 200+ affiliates across the country.

Follow ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno on Instagram, X and Facebook.

About ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
Emmy^® Award-winning station KGO-TV ABC7 is the San Francisco Bay Area’s source for breaking news, weather and live video. Widely recognized for its solution-based promise to help the Bay Area communities, the station’s initiative “Building a Better Bay Area” dedicates more time, resources and reporting to the issues that impact its viewers’ quality of life. From the local economy and education to health and safety, to issues impacting the environment, ABC7’s focus is to bring greater perspective on the challenges currently facing neighborhoods. The station has won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Overall Excellence/News Excellence in 2019 and 2020. KGO-TV is an ABC owned television station serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and all of the greater Bay Area, which together comprise the nation’s sixth largest television market.

Follow ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco on X and Facebook.

About KABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
ABC7 Los Angeles is Southern California’s No. 1 local news and information source. A prominent leader in digital and social audience engagements, ABC 7 was the first station in the Los Angeles market to regularly broadcast news in high definition and also the first local television station in the United States to surpass 3 million Facebook followers. The station continues to proudly serve its community with deep partnerships including its exclusive local broadcast of the Los Angeles Rams and LA Pride.

Follow KABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles onInstagram, X and Facebook.

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

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@disney.com

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

Press Release

July 29, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

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The press release titleABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations Launch ‘Climate Ready,’ a New Climate-Based Initiative Aiming To Deliver Solutions-Minded Content for ViewersThe press release title

ABC News Kicks Off Monday, July 29, With ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee Demonstrating the Climate Benefits of a Native Garden

Today, ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations are announcing Climate Ready, anew editorial initiative created to amplify vital climate preparedness stories focused on ways for viewers to keep their families safe, protect their financial futures, and support their communities during extreme weather events. National programming kicks off today with ABC News chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee spotlighting the ABC News special “Saving the Planet, Saving on Your Lawn,” which offers ways to convert water-guzzling lawns into native gardens that are drought-resistant and reduce the risk of flooding. Market-specific programming will also be available this week airing across the ABC Owned Television Stations (check local listings) covering solutions to such issues as extreme heat and flooding. Climate Ready programming is also available on ABC News Live and on ABC Owned Television Stations streaming platforms.

ABC Owned Television Stations coverage:

In “Hot Subways and Urban Heat,” ABC7/WABC-TV New York’s Eyewitness News reporter Anthony Carlo investigates the high temperatures in the city’s subway system by using multiple thermometers to measure both air and surface temperatures. Carlo rides the subway with New Yorkers to find out how they cope with the heat, why it gets so hot underground, and what the city is doing to address this issue.
The 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia special segment, “Increase Tree Coverage,” looks at Philadelphia’s plan to increase tree coverage highlighting the benefits of CO2 exchange, which aids in preventing soil erosion and water absorption, and how this will ultimately provide more shade to help reduce the urban heat island effect.
ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles’ “Cool Pavement Project” shares how a community in Los Angeles with some of the hottest temperatures is partnering with the city and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer to cover pavement in a special reflective coating that reduces surface temps and ambient heat.
ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston sheds light on The South Shore Drainage Project with “Sunny Day Street Flooding.” The initiative hopes to bring a much-needed pump station to Galveston that could bring relief to residents who withstand hurricanes and rainstorms.

Additional topics to be highlighted throughout the coming months:

Aerial Firefighting

ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco’s “Fire Drones” examines how autonomous helicopters equipped with giant water balloons could help fight wildfires.

Geothermal Systems
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago’s “Blacks in Green” explores how a Chicago-based organization is planning to use geothermal heating and cooling to produce more affordable and more sustainable energy for low-income neighborhoods.

Wildfire Go-Bags
ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno’s “Wildfire Evacuation Go-Bags” shows viewers how to assemble specialized go-bags so they are prepared in case of any emergency.

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.

About ABC News
ABC News is America’s No. 1 news source, providing straightforward, fact-driven journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital and audio. ABC’s award-winning programs include “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “20/20,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” and “The View.” Other platforms include ABC News Live, ABC News Studios, ABC News Digital, ABC Audio, FiveThirtyEight, and NewsOne. Based in New York City, ABC News is comprised of three U.S. bureaus and eight international bureaus, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world.

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

Brooks Lancaster
brooks.lancaster@abc.com

Press Release

July 11, 2024

Media relations

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

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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’

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Press Release

May 3, 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 To Air Documentary Special, ‘Our America: Defining Courage,’ Presented by Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor David Ono Beginning Sunday, May 5

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations to present “Our America: Defining Courage,” beginning Sunday, May 5. The documentary special takes viewers backstage for an intimate journey into the making of “Defining Courage” a stage show produced by Emmy^® Award-winning filmmaker and KABC news anchor David Ono and his nonprofit production company, Story Boldly. It shares the story of the Nisei Soldiers, Americans of Japanese ancestry, who served in the segregated military units during World War II. Although considered the greatest fighting units in American military history, their efforts were overshadowed by prejudice at home. While many of the soldiers were away at battle for the U.S., their families were incarcerated in America’s concentration camps, with only a few hearing their extraordinary stories.

“Our America: Defining Courage” airs across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:

Sunday, May 5
3:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles

Monday, May 6
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, May 11
5:00 a.m. EDT ABC7/WABC-TV New York
9:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, May 12
11:00 p.m. CDT ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
11:30 p.m. CDT ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston

Monday, May 13
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, May 18
12:30 a.m. EDT 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
2:00 p.m. PDT ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno

Sunday, May 19
5:00 a.m. EDT ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Additionally, special interactive tools are available online to allow viewers nationwide to further explore the history of the Nisei Soldiers, which includes a message from David Ono and features the following highlights:

ABOUT
WHO ARE THE NISEI SOLDIERS
TIMELINE
MAP OF CAMPS

The “Our America: Defining Courage” documentary special was produced by Justin Allen, former senior producer, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations, and Rachel Schwartz, director, Content Operations, ABC Owned Television Stations.

The special features music by composers Enzo De Roza and Sheridan Seyfried.

About Story Boldly’s “Defining Courage”
“Defining Courage” is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, and Outside In Theatre. Local partners for the Veterans Day performance are the Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American Veterans Association, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, National Veterans Network, and US-Japan Council. Story Boldly was founded by Ono and Emmy-winning filmmaker Jeff MacIntyre two decades ago to tell engaging stories using journalist practices to educate the public about important chapters in history and teach others how to use digital media to share stories that matter. Both are multiple Emmy Award-winning storytellers, journalists, filmmakers, and educators.

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 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

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

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com