NORFOLK, Va. — WVEC 13News Now is honored to receive a prestigious Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in the News Documentary category for its original production, “Roots Recovered: Reclaiming Our Names.” The hour-long special was produced and reported by veteran journalist Janet Roach and photojournalist Adrian Guerra.
The documentary premiered in February 2024 as part of 13News Now’s Black History Month coverage. It follows the deeply emotional journeys of African Americans reclaiming ancestral names stripped away through the legacy of slavery. Through intimate interviews, historical research, and powerful storytelling, the documentary explores how names connect individuals to identity, culture, and history.
For Janet Roach, the story was deeply personal. As part of the documentary, she researched the origin of her own last name, uncovering details of her family’s past that had been lost for generations. Her experience brought an added layer of authenticity and heart to the project…