In a genealogical discovery years in the making, ABC News anchor Robin Roberts has identified the first confirmed living descendants of an enslaved individual who contributed to the construction of the White House.
The findings were revealed in a special report titled "American Story: The Hands That Built the White House -- With Robin Roberts." The program details the historic breakthrough, which sheds new light on the unacknowledged labor involved in building one of America's most iconic structures.
Roberts' report, which aired on July 7, 2026, marks a significant moment in historical research, bringing to light the descendants of those whose direct contributions to national landmarks have often been overlooked.