Press Release

January 30, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

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UPDATE: ABC Owned Television Stations Present ‘Our America: In the Black’

The Special Aims To Raise Awareness of Financial Health and Wellness in the Black Community and Offers Insight Into How To Bridge the Wealth Gap Through Technology

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations present “Our America: In the Black,” sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, beginning Saturday, Feb. 3. This thought-provoking documentary special chronicles the efforts of Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker in his national quest to raise awareness about building financial health and wellness in the Black community. In the series, Booker explores how technology can serve as a great equalizer to mitigate these disparities while engaging with individuals who are actively working toward financial literacy programs that pave the way for economic mobility and generational wealth creation. The documentary focuses on the stories of three individuals at different stages of their financial journey:

“Hannah” – Booker visits Los Angeles where he is introduced to Hannah, a young foster care youth, who dreams of attending Howard University and becoming a mechanical engineer. The episode also features the dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Phylicia Rashad.
“Angel Mercedes” – From New York, Booker introduces viewers to the nonprofit RISE, a national charitable institution that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
“Meagan Naraine” – Booker visits Atlanta for an opportunity to highlight the work he does with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which leverages Atlanta’s unique position as a nexus of Black enterprise and innovation to pilot strategies that could serve as blueprints for economic racial equity across the nation.

“Our America: In the Black” airs on Hulu’s Black Stories Always hub and across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:

Saturday, Feb. 3
12:30 a.m. EST             6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
3:00 p.m. PST              ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
8:30 p.m. PST              ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
11:30 p.m. CST            ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
10:00 p.m. PST            ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno

Sunday, Feb. 4
12:30 a.m. EST ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
11:00 p.m. CST ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

Monday, Feb. 5
8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish

Saturday, Feb. 10
5:00 a.m. EST ABC7/WABC-TV New York

Monday, Feb. 12
8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish

“Our America: In the Black” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations; and produced by Luke Richards, senior manager, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations; Shako Liu, senior producer, ABC Owned Television Stations; and John Garcia, producer editor, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations. Post-production services were facilitated by Robeson Parks.

The documentary special 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
The eight owned ABC television stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television, reaching 23% of households and more than 34 million Total Viewers and 62 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 2.2 billion minutes streamed, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. WABC-New York has remained the No. 1 station in the country for 19 years.

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 24, 2023

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Share this release

Part Three of ‘Our America: Trouble on Tap’ To Begin Airing Oct. 28 press release title

‘Drilling into California’s Water Crisis’ Delves Into the Impact of California’s Extreme Weather Conditions and the Recent Influx of Water After Years of Drought

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” the thought-provoking three-part documentary series from ABC Owned Television Stations, ABC News and National Geographic draws to a close with the third episode in the series, “Drilling into California’s Water Crisis” beginning, Saturday, Oct. 28. Hosted by Emmy^® Award-winning Action News anchor Dale Yurong, the episode delves into the emerging water crisis that is putting the security of the state’s water, food and economy at risk. With interviews with some of the leading experts working toward tenable solutions, the final episode of the series explores the following three key areas.

The Drought:
California leads the U.S. in food production with over $51 billion in revenue and is the fifth largest supplier of food in the world; but with a state that’s been dealing with a mega drought for decades, what does it mean for farmers? The episode examines the science behind California’s increasing droughts and the impacts it has on every California resident.

Sinking Groundwater:
California’s largest source of water is in danger of running out due to the overreliance on pumping groundwater. There are 5,300 wells which have gone dry throughout the state since 2014. If over-pumping continues, over 9,200 wells could go dry by 2040, putting the most rural, disadvantaged communities in peril and without the water they need. Additionally, over-pumping causes subsidence leaving many areas susceptible to flooding.

Flooding:
In 2023, California’s wet season saw 31 atmospheric rivers bringing a record year of rainfall and snow. Several communities throughout the state were displaced due to power outages and flooding. In addition, hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland were destroyed by flooding, putting Central California’s economy at risk and consumers seeing the impact at grocery stores throughout the country.

“Drilling into California’s Water Crisis” airs on ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and on linear on the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 28
10:00 p.m. PDT           ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
10:00 p.m. PDT           ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
11:00 p.m. CDT           ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

Sunday, Oct.29
12:00 a.m. CDT ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
12:30 a.m. EDT 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia

Monday, Oct. 30
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, Nov. 4
8:30 p.m. PDT ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, Nov. 5
2:00 p.m. EST ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Monday, Nov. 6
8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish

Sunday, Dec. 31
1:00 p.m. EST ABC7/WABC-TV New York

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” utilizes data from ABC Owned Television Stations Data Journalism Unit to examine how the effects of environmental pollution, climate change and aging infrastructure are gradually eroding the ability of more and more communities across the United States to have access to free and potable drinking water.

The first episode, “Life with Forever Chemicals,” looks at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in North Carolina. This episode takes viewers to Cape Fear, North Carolina, often referred to as ground zero for PFAS water contamination or water polluted by toxic “forever chemicals.” For decades, the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 people was contaminated as a result of a chemical company dumping toxic PFAS into the Cape Fear River. Years after the contamination was first publicly revealed, the region continues to grapple with ongoing health concerns, multiple lawsuits and constructing costly water treatment plants as it struggles to cope with decades of chronic exposure. It is available to watch here.

The second episode, “America’s Lead Problem,” examines the lasting impact of the use of lead pipes and the water infrastructure in America. Nearly 40 years after being banned as a plumbing material by the federal government, lead-based pipes are still carrying water to millions of homes across America, including Chicago, which has one of the highest concentrations of lead pipes in the country. But cities like Newark, New Jersey, which experienced high levels of lead in the water, replaced its lead service lines and is often used as a model of success in combating this public health issue. It is available to watch here.

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” is produced in partnership with Tracy J. Wholf, coordinating producer of the climate unit at ABC News, and Justin Allen, executive producer with ABC Owned Television Stations and National Geographic. ABC30/KFSN-TV, Central California’s ABC television station’s Tim Sarquis, Brandon Ridge, Jacqueline McLean and Ricky Courtney serve as executive producers for part three in the series “Drilling into California’s Water Crisis.”

Episodes are 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

The eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television, reaching 23% of households and more than 34 million Total Viewers and 48 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 3.1 billion minutes streamed, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. WABC-New York has remained the No. 1 station in the country for 19 years.

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

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

August 17, 2023

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 announce 10 o’clock morning newscasts for ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia and ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham stations
Beginning Sept. 11

Today, ABC Owned Television Stations is announcing a new 10 a.m. newscast beginning Sept. 11 in New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham. The broadcast will fill the time slot previously held by the Tamron Hall show, which – after record-breaking season four ratings – is taking over the 2 p.m. time slot in those markets, aligning her with the other ABC Owned Television Stations’ afternoon programming.

“Tamron has had an exceptional year, and I know this move will grow her incredibly passionate Tam Fam even more,” said Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. “And the addition of local news programming at 10 a.m. – led by these extraordinary teams – will allow us to dig even deeper into the topics and events that showcase our local communities and the issues most impacting them, as well as extend and expand upon breaking news and topics being discussed on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Live with Kelly and Mark.’”

Local news talent covering the 10 a.m. hour include the following:

ABC7/WABC-TV New York co-anchors Shirleen Allicot and Mike Marza – who has just been promoted from “Eyewitness News Weekends” – will take on the additional 10 a.m. time slot.

Sam Champion will also join the 10 a.m. hour along with meteorologist Dani Beckstrom. Meteorologist Brittany Bell – who is also being promoted from weekends to the weekday morning team – will join Champion weekday mornings from 4:30-7:00 a.m.

6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia’s news anchors Alicia Vitarelli, Alyana Gomez and Nydia Han will host “Action News at 10 a.m.” with meteorologist Karen Rogers expanding her duties and joining the team with the AccuWeather forecast.

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham’s “Eyewitness News” morning newscast will be led by trusted co-anchors John Clark and Barbara Gibbs, and will be joined by meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy.

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
ABC7 has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for 75 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Mark,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures nearly half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,467 out of 2,499 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.7%.†
*Based on June 2023 Nielsen survey.
†Based on July 2022 – June 2023 Nielsen data.

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
The only local news station with a street-level studio located in Downtown Raleigh, ABC11 Eyewitness News provides 48.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1.3 million TV households in a 23-county area in Central and Eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the 24/7 streaming channel on the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Television Stations as part of the Disney Networks.

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

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

The only local news station with three downtown newsrooms (Raleigh/Fayetteville/Durham), ABC11 Eyewitness News provides 45.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1 million households in a 23-county area in North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Stations as part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division.

Visit abc11.com

Tweets by ABC11_WTVD

Press Release

July 19, 2021

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Share this release

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham Names New Evening News Anchor

Lauren Johnson Joins the Station From WTXF-TV- Philadelphia

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham President and General Manager Rob Elmore has named Lauren Johnson to co-anchor its evening newscast and will join the team by the end of July.

Johnson will co-anchor the evening Eyewitness News team at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. with Steve Daniels as well as the 10:00 p.m. newscast on CW22. She replaces Tisha Powell who announced she was retiring from broadcasting.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Lauren to ABC11,” said Elmore. “Our team had an instant connection with Lauren the minute we met her, and we know our viewers will feel the same as she joins the evening news to inform and serve our growing audience across central North Carolina.”

Joining from Fox 29 News in Philadelphia, Johnson launched a weekend edition of “Good Day Philadelphia.” During her tenure, she covered the deadly Amtrak derailment, the pope’s visit to Philadelphia, the Democratic National Convention, the NFL Draft, the Eagles Super Bowl-winning season, both Bill Cosby trials, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the local civil unrest surrounding the murder of George Floyd.

WTVD’s News Director Bervette Carree added, “I am thrilled to welcome Lauren Johnson to ABC11 Eyewitness News and to the great state of North Carolina. Lauren is a talented, compassionate and seasoned journalist who is a truth-seeker for all people. Her ability to authentically connect with people is a unique and appreciated trait in our industry. I have no doubt Lauren will be an awesome addition to our winning team.”

Johnson began her career as a feature reporter at Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, Florida, in 2003. She then joined WHBQ-TV in Memphis, Tennessee, as a health reporter, winning a Tennessee Hospital Association Award. She was also nominated for several Emmys® for her reporting of children’s healthcare issues before being tapped to co-anchor the early edition of “Good Morning Memphis.” She briefly returned to Orlando and launched the weekend edition of “Good Day Orlando” for the Fox affiliate; while there, she additionally covered the controversial trial of George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin.

Johnson graduated from Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She credits her internship working behind the scenes on ABC’s “Good Morning America” with Diane Sawyer as what “sealed the deal” for a journalism career.

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
The only local news station with three downtown newsrooms (Raleigh/Fayetteville/Durham), ABC11 Eyewitness News provides 47.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1 million households in a 23-county area in North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Stations as part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division. For more information, go to http://www.abc11.com.

Website:	http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD
Instagram:	https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

Rob Elmore is president and general manager of ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham where he has overall management responsibility of the station’s operations and its ancillary businesses.

An award-winning local news executive, Elmore brings extensive experience leading teams in the multiplatform space including ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, which serves the second largest market in the United States. As the vice president of KABC’s news division for the past five years, he has helped cement the station’s status as Southern California’s leading source for local news and information, expanding coverage to serve audiences across broadcast, digital and social platforms. Prior to KABC, Elmore spent 17 years at WTVD where he held the position of news director serving the Research Triangle Region of Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Fayetteville with the most trusted news information, entertaining content and inspiring storytelling.

At KABC, Elmore specialized in creating and executing content and format strategies to increase multiplatform viewership and engagement, helping to secure ABC7’s position as the No. 1 station in the country on digital and social. Most recently, KABC was honored in 2020 with four Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence, Breaking News Coverage, Excellence in Video, and Best Newscast in large-market television in Region 2 of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).

As news director of WTVD, Elmore spearheaded the opening of the first and only downtown Raleigh street-level studio, The Raleigh Eyewitness News Center, in 2005. In 2008, his team was the first in the country to deploy a live broadband mobile unit, Breaking News 1, for spot news and severe weather coverage. In 2011, he and the team created the Happening Now at 5 p.m. format, which has been replicated at local stations across the country.

Before joining ABC Owned Television Stations, Elmore was news director and assistant news director at News 10 NBC in Rochester, New York. Earlier in his career, he was a news producer at WSMV in Nashville, Tennessee, where produced the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts; and WHAM-TV in Rochester, New York, where he produced the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He began his television career as a reporter at WWNY-TV in Watertown, New York, during summer and college breaks.

Elmore graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication.

Press Release

April 30, 2021

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Share this release

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham’s Longtime Eyewitness News Anchor Tisha Powell Retiring From Broadcasting To Return Home to Louisiana

Photo courtesy ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham

Longtime Eyewitness News evening anchor Tisha Powell announced she is retiring from broadcasting to return home to Louisiana. Her last day on air will be June 30, 2021.

Powell shared the following message to the ABC11 staff:

A little over 16 years ago, I arrived at RDU airport with my mom by my side and a 3-year-old toddler in tow. My husband, James, an Army captain at the time, was serving a year-long deployment to Iraq. I had no idea what our journey to North Carolina would bring or how long our time here would last. James and I were just looking for a home for our family that was military friendly and would allow both our careers to flourish. That’s exactly what we were lucky enough to find here in the Triangle and so much more … I just want to say “thank you” to my wonderful coworkers who have always been there to see me through the tough times and have also helped to celebrate the many happy milestones over the years. And to the loyal ABC11 viewers who have welcomed me into their homes every night, I couldn’t be more grateful. In June, I will be rounding out a 25-year career in TV news. I will continue serving our viewing area until my time here ends this summer.

Powell joined the Eyewitness News team in 2004. She has co-anchored Eyewitness News at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. with Steve Daniels as well as the 10:00 p.m. newscast on CW22.

“I remember how excited I was to recruit Tisha in 2004, and I am so grateful that our community and our news team shared 17 great years with her. She represents the best of ABC11,” said Rob Elmore, president and general manager, WTVD. “We have always known that Louisiana has a special place in Tisha’s heart, and we will miss her daily presence in our lives. While we are sad to see her go, we understand and wish Tisha and her family good health and happiness always.”

During her time at ABC 11, Powell traveled back to New Orleans in 2005 to cover Hurricane Katrina. She reported on the pope’s visit to Philadelphia, the Carolina Panthers’ trip to Super Bowl 50 and has interviewed influential people like first lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. She has also jumped with the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team in Laurinburg, North Carolina. When Powell was not on the anchor desk, she spent many hours supporting community organizations and events and working on special reports for Eyewitness News.

Throughout the month of June, ABC 11 plans to celebrate Powell’s 17 years, with a final send-off on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Website:	http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD
Instagram:	https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

Press Release

February 24, 2021

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Share this release

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham Joins Local Initiative To Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in North Carolina Media

ABC 11 will work with the North Carolina Media Equity Project, a Pilot at Elon University

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham joins the NC Local News Workshop at Elon University in the North Carolina Media Equity Project, a pilot program launched to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in North Carolina media.

The project grew out of national and local conversations stemming from the Black Lives Matter movement. It brings media organizations together “as a learning cohort and support network” to be more inclusive when serving North Carolina residents who are Black, Native American, Latino, LGBTQ, and other diverse groups who lack representation in media.

“Our team is excited to be part of this groundbreaking project and we know we will learn and grow from the experience,” said Rob Elmore, President and General Manager, ABC11/WTVD-TV. “We are committed to ensuring that the content and culture at our station reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve here in North Carolina.”

ABC11’s participants who meet with the cohort regularly include news director Bervette Carree, director of Community Engagement Monica Barnes, manager of Operations and Business planning Kaila Mitchell and president and general manager Rob Elmore.

The station’s mission is to inform, serve and reflect the diverse communities it serves. At the start of February, ABC11 announced its month-long exclusive Black History Month content, which included a weeklong series paying homage to North Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), a “vaccine equity” town hall addressing disparities in communities of color, and numerous specials that focus on the Black culture and experience.

ABC11 is joined by six other media organizations who will gather in four quarterly sessions and have agreed to work together in a long-term commitment to change internal practices and culture across their respective organizations.

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
The only local news station with three downtown newsrooms (Raleigh/Fayetteville/Durham), ABC11 Eyewitness News is the No. 1 morning newscast, with the station providing 47.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1 million households in a 23-county area in North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Stations as part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division. For more information, go to http://www.abc11.com.

Website:	http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD
Instagram:	https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

Press Release

February 1, 2021

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Share this release

The Premiere of ‘Our America: The HBCU Experience’ Kicks Off ABC11’S Exclusive ‘Black History Month’ Content Airing Across Its Broadcast and Available on ABC11 North Carolina Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku—Including The Rebroadcast of ‘Our America: Living While Black’ on Hulu

Photo Courtesy of ABC11/WTVD-TV “Our America: The HBCU Experience”
L-R North Carolina A&T University Blue & Gold Marching Machine, Shaw University, A&T University Four Monument, St. Augustine’s
University aerial view

View ‘The HBCU Experience’ Trailer Here

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham premieres “Our America: The HBCU Experience,” Feb. 1-5 (5:30 p.m. EST),a weeklong series featuring North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as part of the station’s exclusive Black History month content. ABC11’s “Black History Month: Past, Present, Future” month-long content celebrates Black culture with multiple features airing every week on ABC11 and available to stream on ABC11’s connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. Additionally, the groundbreaking five-part docuseries, “Our America: Living While Black,” is available to stream on the station’s connected TV apps and Hulu.

The “HBCU Experience” special will spotlight one HBCU each day, beginning Monday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 5 (5:30 p.m.EDT), in its newscast with an extended version available exclusively on the ABC11 News App and ABC11’s connected TV apps.

Below is a snapshot of ABC11’s “Black History Month: Past, Present, Future,” month-long content.

Week 1:

“Our America: The HBCU Experience” shines a light on the history, legacies, resilience and impact the historically Black colleges and universities of North Carolina A&T University, Shaw University, St. Augustine’s University, North Carolina Central University and Fayetteville State University have had on Black students, alumni and the community.

Week 2:

History of ABC11 “Within These Walls” takes a look at the Black history of ABC11, including Ervin Hester, the first African American news anchor in the Southeast.
Pauli Murray is a civil rights activist who led change in North Carolina. Murray was the first black woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. Murray gave her first communion as a priest at the church in Chapel Hill, where her grandmother (a slave) was baptized.
Black Negro Leagues across the United States are now being honored by Major League Baseball. We speak with the stepdaughter of one of the greatest Negro League players in history, Buck Leonard.

Week 3:

Today’s Change Makers takes a look at social movements, like Black Lives Matter, and the impacts social activists, like Kerwin Pittman, are making in our communities today. We will also speak to 12-year-old Elijah Lee, who marches for awareness of children who suffer in silence after they are victims of child abuse.
Rabbi Sandra Lawson is thefirst openly gay female Black rabbi, now the head of religious studies at Elon University in North Carolina.
Freeman Round House Museum features artifacts that depict the culture and contributions of African Americans to the history and development in Wilson, North Carolina. Freeman was a noted local African American stonemason who built homes to help alleviate the housing shortage for GIs returning from the war.

Week 4:

Infrastructure Racism, Part 1, investigates how urban freeways divided neighborhoods in the South. The Durham Freeway was intentionally built through Durham’s Hayti district, destroying the once vibrant community. From 1949-1973 the U.S. Government bulldozed 2,500 neighborhoods in 993 cities, displacing one million people.
Infrastructure Racism, Part 2, investigates redlining that existed in Durham and the lasting impact on low-income and minority neighborhoods in one of the South’s largest cities. The areas that were once in red districts are now some of the poorest areas in Durham.
Infrastructure Racism, Part 3, investigates how Raleigh’s growth leads to gentrification in the city’s low-income southeast. While Raleigh’s suburban neighborhoods have diversified in the number of non-Black residents moving in, South Park in southeast Raleigh has had more white residents moving in since 2000. On average, people in South Park make $75,000 more than their neighbors.

All stories highlighted will air within the newscast of ABC11 and available via streaming and VOD on the station’s connected TV apps.

Website:	http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD
Instagram:	https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/