For this February’s Black History Month, WJCL ABC 22 parent Hearst Television undertakes “Project CommUNITY: History & Hope,” an effort to give voice to the experiences of Black seniors by uniting them with young Black journalists for probing, in-depth interviews and conversations exploring the state of race in America. The goal is to produce at least 28 stories, one for each day of Black History Month, with each of the company’s television stations producing at least one story for this project.

WJCL ABC 22 expects to produce two stories this month as part of this effort.

The effort is the latest extension of Hearst Television’s multifaceted Project CommUNITY effort, launched in January 2019 across 26 media markets to investigate, chronicle and study – via on-air and online news reports, in-depth interviews, investigations, feature stories and community conversations – not only the nation’s deep divisions, but undertakings across the country focused on uniting people within their communities.

“As part of Project CommUNITY, our stations have produced dozens of specials and stories addressing race and social justice, moving critical conversations forward and identifying and celebrating positive efforts to bring neighbors together,” said Barbara Maushard, Hearst Television senior vice president, news. “‘Project CommUNITY: History & Hope’ adds an innovative, multi-generational element to the exploration of persistent racial injustice and inequality, and pathways to greater understanding that can help bridge divides. This process starts with in-depth, engaging conversations among people of varying generations, and the compelling, untold stories these conversations might surface can be a powerful starting-point for positive change.”

Black History month and this” History & Hope” project are a real opportunity to explore the fabric of our shared home in Savannah and the Lowcountry,” said WJCL ABC 22 President and General Manager Ben Hart. “It is a real look at who our residents ‘are’, and what they mean to our community.”