Plot Synopsis

SOUL OF A NATION is a newsmagazine that explores authentic realities of Black life and dive deeper into this critical moment of racial reckoning. Each one-hour episode focuses on a specific theme including spirituality, Black joy, activism in sports, and the racial reckoning that erupted after George Floyd's death. Jemele Hill, Marsai Martin and others are among the roster of special guest hosts for each episode with interviews and reporting by ABC News anchors and correspondents, including Adrienne Bankert, Linsey Davis, T.J. Holmes, Sunny Hostin, Janai Norman, Steve Osunsami, Byron Pitts, Deborah Roberts, David Scott and Pierre Thomas, and ESPN's Michael Wilbon.

The series travels across the country, unpacking issues critical to Black Americans through intimate storytelling. Every episode will bridge the past, present and future through a variety of voices and experiences from athletes, entertainers, performers and screenwriters, including Carmelo Anthony, Nick Cannon, Deon Cole, Kim Coles, Tommy Davidson, Mo'Ne Davis, Danny Glover, David Alan Grier, Wood Harris, Janaya Future Khan, Renee Montgomery, Sylvia Obell, Jenee Osterheldt, Chris Paul, John Ridley, Saweetie, Michael Yo, The Undefeated's Domonique Foxworth, Soraya McDonald, Marc Spears and Justin Tinsley, and ESPN's Lisa Salters and Maria Taylor. Viewers will meet remarkable people like 95-year-old Lucille Burden Osborne, the great-granddaughter of Charles McGruder -- her enslaved ancestor who was deployed to neighboring plantations as a breeder but created a home for his many children after emancipation; get a behind-the-scenes look and day in the life of some of TikTok's most influential young Black content creators to understand the business behind their brands; and learn about Afrofuturism as a philosophy, aesthetic, genre and tool for social change. In each episode, familiar faces -- performers, activists, scholars and clergy -- will gather for an entertaining and provocative conversation "in the kitchen" about current events. A special performance featuring some of the nation's greatest musicians, such as Cynthia Erivo, or spoken-word artists will close out each episode.

In the series opener, "Reckonings," guest host Sterling K. Brown dives into this moment of racial reckoning in present-day America tackling issues ranging from policing to reparations and segments highlighting the arts and entertainment. Brown, ABC News' Adrienne Bankert, Sunny Hostin, Byron Pitts and Pierre Thomas lead this groundbreaking hour. It will feature interviews with actor and reparations activist Danny Glover, EGOT winner, producer and social activist John Legend, and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, one of the many officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. Plus, Legend will give a special intimate musical performance.

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT, ABC premiered a one-hour SOUL OF A NATION special on the anniversary of George Floyd's death and the racial reckoning that swept the country. Tamron Hall and T.J. Holmes host this one-hour special from Minneapolis and are joined by ABC News chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, ABC News correspondent Janai Norman, NIGHTLINE co-anchor Byron Pitts and THE VIEW co-host Sunny Hostin. The special features in-depth interviews with Floyd's family, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, civil rights leader and founder and president of National Action Network Rev. Al Sharpton, Floyd's pastor and Resurrection Houston Lead Pastor Patrick P.T. Ngwolo, actor Kendrick Sampson, and a performance of "Other Side" by singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc and from poet MacArthur "Genius" Fellow Terrance Hayes.

To commemorate the inaugural time that Juneteenth is observed as a Federal Holiday, ABC premiered "Juneteenth: Together We Triumph" on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 9-11pm ET/PT. Leslie Odom Jr. guest hosts with performances by Jimmie Allen, Chloe of Chloe x Halle, Leon Bridges and H.E.R. This two-hour event presents an enriching evening of celebration and resilience in observance of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating when the enslaved persons in Texas learned of their freedom.

On Friday, September 17, 2021 from 8-9pm ET/PT, ABC premiered "Corazon De America: Celebrating Hispanic Culture," a one-hour special that celebrates diversity within Hispanic culture and identity in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Actor Benjamin Bratt and his brother Peter Bratt host and direct the one-hour special, respectively, telling the stories and celebrating the culture of the Hispanic community, keeping the importance of identity and pride at the forefront of the conversation. Sunny Hostin, Alex Perez, John Quinones, Stephanie Ramos, Cecilia Vega and Gio Benitez also lead the hour, which features an interview and performance by global Reggaeton superstar Ozuna. The special provides an understanding of the depth and beauty of the Hispanic community through stories focusing on civil rights, colorism, language, food, sports, music and more.

On Friday, May 27, 2022 from 8-9pm ET/PT, ABC premiered "Together as One: Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage," the network's first-ever primetime program celebrating the diversity and recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of the vibrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. Hosted by George Takei, this one-hour special underscores the strength, beauty and resilience of the AANHPI community against a backdrop of ongoing hate attacks and a history of exclusion, marginalization and invisibility. Viewers hear from AANHPI luminaries themselves, like pioneering stand-up comedian and actress Margaret Cho, who'll share an original monologue; groundbreaking directors Daniel Kwan and Jon M. Chu; and trailblazing actors such as the legendary James Hong and Gedde Watanabe, Emmy-winning TV host Carrie Ann Inaba, actress Tiya Sircar, and many more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"PRIDE: To Be Seen," a one-hour SOUL OF A NATION special, debuted on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC. The special, hosted by actress and model Cara Delevingne with a special show open composed and performed by artist Alok, explores the meaning of Pride and celebrates and honors the past while looking ahead to the future. GOOD MORNING AMERICA co-anchor Robin Roberts also explores the intersectionality of faith and queerness through a revealing conversation with pastor Michael Walrond Jr. of the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. The special will also celebrate trans joy, with NIGHTLINE co-anchor Juju Chang sitting down with activist Diamond Stylz at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City. Senior national correspondent Steve Osunsami highlights a group of teenagers devoted to creating an LGBTQ+-affirming learning environment as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeps the nation. Osunsami also speaks to Camika Shelby, the mother of Nigel Shelby, a gay teen from Alabama who died by suicide. Correspondent Gio Benitez will have an exclusive primetime interview with newly appointed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ woman in the role. "PRIDE: To Be Seen" also details the anthology of drag culture and the ballroom scene and how many people now embrace the once underground artforms, featuring POSE star Dominique Jackson and DRAG RACE's Aquaria, Eureka, GotMik, Olivia Lux, Pangina Heals and Symone. Correspondent Alex Perez will moderate the SOUL OF A NATION staple "In the Kitchen" discussion on parenting trans and queer children with actor/television host Jonathan Bennett, singer/actor Joshua Colley and Schuyler Bailar, the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on NCAA Division I men's team.