P&G and Coca-Cola underwrite PBS series on African-American genealogy
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(July 21, 2005) The Procter & Gamble Company and The Coca-Cola Company will underwrite “African-American Lives,” an unprecedented four-hour series on PBS that producers say takes Alex Haley's “Roots” saga to a whole new level. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (left), chair of African and African-American Studies at Harvard University, “African-American Lives” will air February 2006 on PBS as a co-production of Thirteen/WNET New York and Kunhardt Productions Inc.
Through a compelling combination of storytelling and science, the series will profile some of the most accomplished African-Americans of our time, using genealogy and DNA to trace their roots down through American history and back to Africa.
Dr. Gates will provide access to their day-to-day lives, drawing on photographs, film clips, music, and early personal records, while a team of researchers, genealogists and forensic DNA analysts will conduct investigations into the family histories of these contemporary women and men.
By spotlighting African-American role models, the series hopes to inspire millions to consider their own heritage, and underscore for all Americans the importance of knowing their past, in order to unlock the future.
"This is one of the most exciting projects in which I have been involved," said Dr. Gates. "No television series has explored black roots both in America and in Africa and used DNA research to investigate the origins of individual African-Americans."
"This is a unique program and we're very pleased to be underwriting it," said Berrece Andrews, associate director of multicultural external relations at Procter & Gamble. "Our support of the “African-American Lives” project is part of a broader Procter & Gamble program aimed at touching the lives of African-Americans with relevant programming. The series is a very creative way to inspire hope and understanding for this and the next generation."
"This extraordinary program, “African-American Lives”, will allow and encourage African-Americans to connect with their own history, and we are very glad to be part of this experience," said Ingrid Saunders Jones, senior vice president, corporate external affairs, The Coca-Cola Company.
“African-American Lives” hopes to not only provide a transformational discovery for several prominent African-Americans, but also serve as an example for all Americans of the empowerment derived from knowing their heritage.
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Tuesday, July 26th 2005 at 1:53AM
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