USA TODAY Launches “1619: Searching for Answers” with an Interactive Augmented Reality Exposé Observing 400 Years Since ...
August 22 2019 - 8:51AM
Business Wire
The multiplatform series gets personal with
journalists joining a woman on a journey from Virginia to Angola in
search of her family’s story
USA TODAY, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), today launched
the series “1619: Searching for Answers” to observe 400 years since
the first enslaved Africans landed in Point Comfort, Virginia in
August of 1619. Over several months, the multimedia project will
share stories that retrace slavery’s impact on America.
The project highlights the Tucker family, who believe its
American journey began with some of the first slaves who landed in
the British colony of Virginia. Earlier this month, USA TODAY
journalists traveled with Wanda Tucker from Virginia to Angola,
where she believes her ancestors were captured and enslaved. Four
journalists spent 10 days with Wanda on what she called “a
life-changing journey,” as she searched for answers for herself and
her family.
“I believed that the ancestors called me to take this journey,”
said Tucker. “I really hope to do justice to my ancestors.”
"The landing of the first enslaved Africans in 1619 is one of
the most important events and dates in our history, but it hasn't
been treated as such," said USA TODAY Editor-in-Chief Nicole
Carroll. "We set out to correct that. Our goal is to educate and
inform Americans about the history that continues to shape and
influence the country we are today.”
The “1619: Searching for Answers” launch also includes an
interactive augmented reality (AR) experience about the journey
enslaved Africans made aboard the San Juan Bautista boat through
the dangerous and deadly Middle Passage. The AR interactive was
written by best-selling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez, narrated by
storyteller Tamara Winfrey-Harris and showcases a painting by noted
Hampton artist Richard Press Sr. Users will have the opportunity to
step into a virtual representation of San Juan Bautista with
spacial audio components, creating an immersive experience of being
at sea. The experience guides users through historical events that
have been researched and documented by USA TODAY’s editorial team,
including the ship attack that led the enslaved Africans to
Virginia. This experience marks the ninth project of 2019 for the
USA TODAY’s emerging technology team which has committed to a dozen
projects this year. The experience can be found within the new
augmented reality section of the USA TODAY mobile app for iOS and
Android.
The full multiplatform report featuring video and multiple
graphics – including one showing slavery’s exponential growth – can
be found at 1619.usatoday.com.
About USA TODAY
Founded in 1982, USA TODAY reflects the pulse of the nation,
serving as host of the American conversation by delivering
high-quality, engaging content through unique visual storytelling
across all platforms. A media innovator, USA TODAY reaches nearly
82 million unique visitors each month across digital platforms,
with more than 25 million downloads of our award-winning app. USA
TODAY also remains the nation’s number one newspaper and is owned
by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190822005351/en/
For Media Inquiries, Contact: USA TODAY Chrissy
Terrell Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Director
504.952.4225 caterrell@usatoday.com
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