ABC News to Launch Six-Part Series, Black Culture Focused ‘Soul of a Nation’ With Hosts Jemele Hill and Marsai Martin

ABC News has announced that it is launching a show that will cater specifically to the culture of Black life.

The six-episode series, Soul of a Nation, will be the first broadcast network newsmagazine that will aim to put Black life in America front and center. The series will present the viewing audience with a unique window into the authentic realities of Black life and will also dive deeper into this critical moment of racial reckoning.

Every episode will explore a specific subject and theme that will include spirituality, Black joy, activism in sports, and the racial awakening that has taken place after the police killing of George Floyd.

Jemele Hill, Marsai Martin, and a host of others are among the varied roster of special guest hosts for each episode. There will be 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. Other special guest hosts will be announced at a later date.

“We’re excited to expand enterprising Black storytelling and the celebration of Black culture beyond the month of February,” said co-executive producer Eric Johnson in a written statement. “Viewers of all backgrounds, regardless of race, will be moved, educated, and inspired by the broad range of stories and topics shared on this show.”

Soul of a Nation will be airing Tuesday nights starting this March on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

“It’s time,” co-executive producer Robe Imbriano stated. “Soul of a Nation arrives as the country is eager for a show like this, and the mix of intimate and insightful storytelling with performance will bring some serious joy.”

“ABC News is proud to partner with ABC Entertainment to host Soul of a Nation, a primetime convening place for diverse audiences to call home. It’s 2021 and the demands of this time call upon the media community to grant Black viewers more opportunities to see their lives reflected in all of its complexity and to present all of our audience access points to gain understanding,” said Soul of a Nation creator Marie Nelson, who is also senior vice president of integrated content strategy at ABC News.