Live Session with Nzinga Blake, Race and Culture Executive Producer at ABC Owned Television Stations
Live Session with Nzinga Blake, Race and Culture executive producer at ABC Owned Television Stations who brought us the essential documentary special, “Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island”. The special is based on the cover story for the July 2022 issue of National Geographic magazine, ‘We Are Here’.
To raise awareness and elevate the conversation around Native American sovereignty, ABC Owned Television Stations produced “Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island,” an hour-long documentary special that informs viewers about Native sovereignty, the inherent authority of American tribes to govern themselves and honor and preserve their cultures and traditions.
The program is told through the lens and imagery of National Geographic Explorer and photographer Kiliii Yüyan – the special is produced by Nzinga Blake, Race and Culture executive producer at ABC Owned Television Stations, and edited by Tracy Quezada. Featured in the documentary are Taboo, a cultural activist and Marvel comic creator, writer, and global music icon known for 1/3 of the pop group Black Eyed Peas; Quannah Rose Chasinghorse, a model and activist known for appearing on the 2020 Teen Vogue list of Top 21 under 21 and more; Jody Potts-Joseph, traditional tattoo practitioner and subject of the National Geographic series “Life Below Zero: First Alaskans”; historian and Native American artist G. Peter Jemison, whose art is featured in the documentary; and traditional corn grower Angela Ferguson.
Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas narrates - Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas narrates - Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas narrates - Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
(L-R) Jody Potts-Joseph, Quannah Rose Chasinghorse, Nzinga Blake, G. Peter Jemison, Our America: Reclaiming Turtle Island (BTS) - ABC Owned Television Stations
The documentary special debuted beginning Nov. 19 on linear across eight ABC stations 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, its 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku and became available on Hulu November 25, Native American Heritage Day. The special is also available on demand at https://ouramericaabc.com/reclaiming-turtle-island.
I can’t tell you what a great time I had with this young lioness, learning about her journey and dedication to helping provide a platform for people to tell their stories in a manner that is meaningful to them and from their own perspective. BTW, Nzinga was suffering through a bout with the flu and STILL gave me the time of day, well evening…it was a night session!!!
Serious and aware, Nzinga is also able to see the humor in situations and circumstances others might find…well…daunting. For THIS particular Live Session, I’ve decided to refrain from putting too much in text because the interview, which evolved into a conversation, deserves not to be adulterated by my attempt at a recap…Tune in!!!
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
