In a historic nod to the power of storytelling and ancestral reclamation, ABC News Live has earned a prestigious national Emmy® nomination for its poignant and groundbreaking coverage of 10 Million Names, a collaborative project spearheaded by American Ancestors®. This remarkable effort aims to recover and preserve the identities of an estimated 10 million enslaved men, women, and children who lived in what is now the United States before emancipation in 1865.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced on May 1, 2025, that ABC News Live is a contender in the Outstanding Arts, Culture, or Entertainment category of the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Out of over 2,200 entries, ABC's work stood out for its deeply human portrayal of African American lineage, loss, and legacy. Winners will be announced on June 25 at the Palladium Times Square in New York City.

A National Mission with Deep Personal Impact

Launched in August 2023 at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, 10 Million Names partners with scholars, genealogists, community historians, and descendants to fill a historical void left by centuries of erasure. At the forefront of this initiative, ABC News has been a vital media partner, helping bring these hidden legacies into the national consciousness.

Through powerful storytelling, ABC journalists have highlighted not only the historical significance of the project but also the deeply emotional journeys of those uncovering their enslaved ancestors' names and stories—many for the first time.

From Headlines to Heartlines

Several of ABC’s standout segments have featured prominent Black anchors tracing their own familial ties to slavery, merging investigative journalism with heartfelt storytelling:

• Linsey Davis traced her lineage back to Toby Murray, her great-great-grandfather, one of the first Black men to register to vote in post-emancipation Georgia in 1867. In an emotional on-air moment, Davis visited the Georgia State Archives to view the original voter registration document—a powerful symbol of both progress and the setbacks that followed during Jim Crow.

• Pierre Thomas, ABC’s Chief Justice Correspondent, made a poignant pilgrimage to Jenkins Plantation in West Virginia, where his ancestor had been enslaved. With the Ohio River—then a gateway to freedom—just across the property line, Thomas reflected on the unimaginable resilience of those who endured and resisted. He also engaged in a profound conversation with Harvard professor and 10 Million Names scholar Dr. Vincent Brown, who helped contextualize the brutal history and enduring legacy of slavery.

• In the February 2024 segment titled “In Their Own Words,” reporter Alex Presha highlighted rare 20th-century audio recordings of formerly enslaved individuals. The broadcast explored the oral traditions that have helped Black families preserve their histories despite systemic efforts to erase them.

A Legacy of Truth, Healing, and Honor

“Our partnership with ABC News has allowed us to put the results of 10 Million Names research in front of millions of Americans,” said Ryan Woods, President and CEO of American Ancestors. “It is possible to find enslaved ancestors, and it’s imperative that we do so—for descendants, for history, and for justice.”

More than just a genealogical endeavor, 10 Million Names is a bold cultural movement that uplifts generations of untold stories and connects modern-day descendants with their powerful roots. By compiling names, records, and oral histories dating back to the 1500s, the project bridges past and present, bringing dignity and identity to those long forgotten by mainstream history.

For African Americans—many of whom have faced significant barriers in tracing their family trees—the Emmy-nominated coverage by ABC News serves as both a mirror and a map: reflecting centuries of perseverance and pointing toward a future where all names are known and honored.

Learn More and Get Involved

As Houston Style Magazine celebrates this momentous recognition of truth-telling and historical restoration, readers are encouraged to explore their own family stories and support the movement. To learn more about the 10 Million Names initiative or to contribute, visit 10MillionNames.org.