>> jimmy: owen wilson here, guillermo del toro and ke huy quan. apologies to matt damon. we did run out of time for him. "nightline" is next. thanks for watching. we'll see you tomorrow. good night.

♪ this is "nightline." >> tonight, 10 million names. the massive undertaking to reunite americans with their history stolen by the brutal legacy of enslavement. we're with our michael strahan. >> i'm aretha. >> on an emotional journey. >> this is kind of mind blowing to come back here and see my grandfather, who i never had a chance to meet, wow. history. it's all history. >> the beautiful and powerful love story at the center of his family's roots. >> it's amazing, you think of two people, right here where we stand, responsible for us standing here. >> absolutely. >> and the quest to help others reconnect with their lineage. plus adina minute zell. ♪ let it go let it go ♪ >> letting it go with the

real-life voice behind "frozen's" elsa. >> i am theatrical. i am passionate and fiery. >> how the lgbtq+ community has inspired her professional and personal journey. >> the queer community has really supported me, embraced my creativity. >> and what she's saying about the highly anticipated "frozen iii." ♪ zyrtec! ♪ works hard at hour one and twice as hard when you take it again the next day. so betty can be the... barcode beat conductor. let's be more than our allergies! and for fast, allergy relief with a powerful decongestant, try zyrtec-d. do you struggle with occasional nerve aches and for fast, allergy relief within your hands or feet?nt, try nervive nerve relief from the world's number one nerve care company. nervive contains ala to relieve nerve aches, and b-complex vitamins to fortify healthy nerves. try nervive. and, try nervive pain relieving roll-on.

unlike air fresheners, only new lysol air sanitizer kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in the air. because scent can't sanitize. lysol can. when you find your reason to go on, let it pull you past the doubt. past the pain, and past your limits. no matter what, we go on. biofreeze

♪ good evening and thank you for joining us. i'm stephanie ramos. we begin with the cruel legacy of enslavement. many black americans can trace their ancestry to a certain point before the tree goes blank. abc news is the exclusive media partner with "10 million names" which plans to use genealogy research to unearth the ancestry of 10 million formerly enslaved people. we're with abc's michael strahan as he follows his roots to a small town in texas and its connection to a love story for the ages. >> hello, family. all right. good, good. it's hot. >> sure is. i'm larisa. >> i'm stephanie. >> michael, good to see you. >> billy.

>> how you doing? >> good to meet you, man. >> good to see you. >> reporter: imagine meeting family for the first time in a town steeped in american history and your history. most black americans came to the land owned and cultivated by their 18 sister fors who were formerly enslaved people. here i am meeting my long-lost cousins in the east texas community of shankelville. my mom braved the texas heat and tagged along. >> trying to take care of him. >> reporter: many times, the family tree of descendents from enslaved people only go back a few generations before going blank. but mine doesn't. it actually connects me to folks that were born into slavery, set free at the end of the civil war, and went on to build their own self-sufficient black community. >> there's an incredible story within michael strahan's family

history that was passed down largely through oral tradition, and it was the power of genealogy and family history that made it possible for michael strahan to connect up with that community all these years later. >> reporter: confirmed by historians, shankelville is a prime example of one of america's more than 500 settlements also known as freedom colonies. >> freedom colony is a term often used to describe a black community, a community of black ownership that took root after emancipation. founded by formerly enslaved men, women, and children, these communities became safe havens for many from the broader experience of the jim crow era. >> reporter: a few years ago, researchers looked into my family tree and those behind the ground-breaking "10 million names" project, said it confirmed i was part of this community and its rich legacy. it all began with jim and winnie shankel. tell me the story of jim and

winnie shankel. >> jim and winnie shankel were enslaved in mississippi, and winnie was sold to a texan and so jim really missed her, and you know, wanted to know where she was. he kind of asked around, found out about where she was. and so he ran away. >> reporter: now a runaway slave, jim was risking his life, dodging police, slave patrols, and professional slave catchers to find winnie. he somehow managed to make it 400 miles on foot across the mississippi river and found his beloved winnie. >> there was a spring a few yards from here, and she was out gathering water, washing clothes. and she heard a call. she was like, that sounds like jim's call. and sure enough, it was jim. >> reporter: jim arranged to be purchased by winnie's owner so that he could stay with her. they eventually had six children of their own. so it's love story?

>> yes. >> over 400 miles to find the woman he loved. >> exactly. right, exactly. >> reporter: they were freed from slavery in 1865 as the civil war winded down. with money jim saved up from several post-emancipation jobs along with the help of a family friend, the couple bought up more than 4,000 acres and built their own community. this neighborhood had a store, schools for kids, a college, a cotton gin, grist mills, farms, cemeteries, undertakers, and churches. things unheard of or unavailable to most black americans at that time. historically, recovering the names, contributions, and stories of enslaved black americans has been extremely limited. i'm among the few who were lucky enough to have access to my family's history.

>> mike, this is our church, cme methodist church and community. it was the first church in this community. we had three at the time. we had a lot of renovations done since the original church building. >> i see what you mean by those big windows of the church. it had a lot of sunlight. >> yes. let the lord in. >> reporter: across the way at the cemetery, we paid tribute to the town's two brave founders. >> so jim and winnie, are they buried here? >> yes, they are. >> they're over this direction. >> see a lot of familiar names. shankel, spike, strahans, peacocks. >> if they have roots in this community, they will be buried back here in shankelville. >> i'm looking at this headstone. original headstone. "father, mother," at the bottom, "remembered for what they have done." >> yes. >> powerful, very powerful. >> yes, it is. >> what's amazing is thinking of two people, right here where we stand, responsible for us

standing here. >> absolutely. >> reporter: as we walk across this sacred ground, i notice a familiar name on a headstone. and find myself a bit overwhelmed. my grandfather, abe, who used to go by a-b-e, he's buried here. i never had a chance to meet him. i was born 14 years later. >> oh, goodness. >> this is a little shocking, you know? to see this. >> he obviously was a great man. all those frontiers. they really worked hard. they had to. >> it wasn't an easy existence. >> right. >> well, this is kind of mind-blowing to come back here and see this. to see my grandfather, who i never had a chance to meet, and -- wow. history. it's all history. >> yeah. >> reporter: the next stop on our tour, the odom homestead, a house built in 1922 by a.t. odom, another shankel descendent. this home was added to the

national register of historic places in 2012. we stand outside the odom house. >> right. >> i'm looking at -- >> this gate. >> this gate. >> no fence. >> with no fence. >> right. that's because my grandmother would judge people's character by how they came in the gate and whether they closed it. as we were restoring the house we were like, okay, the fence is gone and everything, but we're going to keep the gate. >> we're in the vestibule of the house. i'm looking at the telephone here. >> this was the original telephone that was here. a.t. odom built this house in 1922. our restoration efforts are going back to 1945. >> it's an unbelievable story. because what they've done here, 1880s or 1800s at some point, over 4,000 acres, build a community with everything in it. why is this not more nationally known? >> i like to say there are two ways people tend to look at african american history.

one is, oh, i don't have a history. the other is, i don't want to talk about that. luckily for me, my mother was very, very instrumental in talking about it. the reason that we have all of the genealogy of so many people is because she would come to homecoming, pull people off to the side, "tell me who was in your family, write it all down." >> wow. and the heart of every home? kitchen. >> so here's the kitchen. you look at this picture, you can see that we basically have the same set of peers in that picture. >> smells good. >> i know, because i'm cooking. >> you're cooking. >> exactly. >> reporter: lucky for me, a big pot of purple whole peas made from peas originating in africa and grown here for generations, cooked to perfection by cousin laretha. >> mm, mm, mm! ain't made no cornbread with it, but i'll leave you alone, i'll

take these peas and be happy. oh, boy. >> reporter: it's not just about preserving the past, but also building the future. ever since 1941, the family gathers here yearly to celebrate homecoming where descendents who left town years ago reunite to maintain family ties. ♪ with singing all saturday night, then church services all day sunday. >> pray for your children and grandchildren. >> reporter: and the next generation has big plans, including a bona fide vineyard. why do you want to build a vineyard here? >> i decided on shankelville because of the history. i wanted to plant on the grounds that my ancestors acquired so long ago. thinking about all the jobs that i could create. and i'm the new generation. there's a blurb on the back of my wine bottle that's dedicated

to shankelville. >> let's see it. planting red grapes and producing wine that signifies the blood, sweat, and tears our ancestors went through to acquire land and build in shankelville. this isn't someone who says, i love wine, let me make wine. this is about your family, the past, the future, preserving the community, bringing more people to the community to learn the great story of shankelville. >> you say it better than me. >> stephanie: our thanks to michael. up next, idina menzel, the queen of broadway and the voice of elsa on her new album today and spilling the tea about "frozen iii." somedays, i cover up because of my moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. now i feel free to bare my skin, thanks to skyrizi. ♪(uplifting music)♪ ♪nothing is everything♪ i'm celebrating my clearer skin... my way. with skyrizi, 3 out of 4 people

achieved 90% clearer skin at 4 months. in another study, most people had 90% clearer skin, even at 5 years. and skyrizi is just 4 doses a year, after 2 starter doses. serious allergic reactions and an increased risk of infections or a lower ability to fight them may occur. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms, had a vaccine, or plan to. thanks to clearer skin with skyrizi - this is my moment. there's nothing on my skin and that means everything! ♪nothing is everything♪ now's the time. ask your doctor about skyrizi, the #1 dermatologist-prescribed biologic in psoriasis. learn how abbvie could help you save. try killing bugs the worry-free way. not the other way. zevo traps use light to attract and trap flying insects with no odor and no mess. they work continuously, so you don't have to. zevo. people-friendly. bug-deadly. how do i do it all? with a little help. and to support my family's immune health,

i choose airborne. it has an unbeatable amount of vitamin c, plus a unique blend of immune focused ingredients to turn up our immune support. airborne (vo) for over 50 years purina cat chow has been helping cats feel at home. to turn up our immune support. with trusted nutrition, no wonder it's the number one dry cat food in america. come home to cat chow. when you find your reason to go on, let it pull you past the doubt. past the pain, and past your limits. no matter what, we go on. biofreeze

like my morning ride. will it help lower my glucose? with the freestyle libre 2 system you can know where your glucose level is and where it's headed. without fingersticks. manage your diabetes with more confidence and lower your a1c. ask your doctor about the freestyle libre 2 system. now widely covered by medicare for patients managing diabetes with insulin. visit freestylelibre.us/medicare to learn more. how can you sleep on such a firm setting? gab, mine is almost freesthe same as yours.are

almost is just another word for not as good as mine. save 50% on the sleep number limited edition smart bed. plus, free home delivery when you add a base. shop now only at sleep number. lysol is supporting schools by providing materials to teach healthy habits. keeping kids together, here. [boy] chicken nugget man. where they can share who they truly are. lysol. here for healthy schools.

♪ >> stephanie: idina menzel's new album "drama queen" is out today. she has been delighting audiences since she appeared in landmark broadway musical "rent" more than 25 years ago. abc's rhiannon ally takes a look back. ♪ tonight it's my turn ♪ ♪ yeah i'm taking center stage ♪ >> is that what this new album about is being true to yourself? >> yeah, it's about owning who i am. i title the album "drama queen." i've played a queen many times in my life. i'm a queen in my own mind. i am from the theater. but it's also a reclaiming of the word. ♪ let it go let it go ♪ ♪ i am one with the wind and sky ♪ >> reporter: the voice behind

"frozen's" iconic leading lady, elsa. actress and singer idina menzel, the queen of broadway as she's called by her fans. now channeling her inner drama queen. ♪ move for me i'm so high make you move for me ♪ >> i feel things, i do, really strongly. i am theatrical. i am passionate and fiery. i'm very sensitive. and vulnerable. and stupid sometimes. and, you know, so all those things, though, they make us who we are. >> reporter: this album feels like a different side of you that we haven't seen much of before. what was your inspiration for the album? >> i wanted to get up and move and groove, and i wanted people to dance. >> reporter: it's fitting that the album's first single titled "move." ♪ move for me ♪ >> it's pretty much about stepping into your spotlight, if you will, figuratively or literally in my case. and not letting anybody sort of put you in the shadow. disco and dance is something that the women that i've loved

all my life -- donna summer, gloria gaynor, barbra streisand -- they all had their dance, disco moments. it's actually this really organic transition. >> reporter: idina, "wickedly" beloved herself. ♪ who can say i've been changed for the better ♪ >> reporter: earning a tony award in 2004 for playing the original elfaba in the broadway hit "wicked." ♪ into the unknown ♪ >> reporter: enchanting a global audience as the voice of elsa in "frozen" and "frozen ii." ♪ into the unknown ♪ >> reporter: those movies have meant so much to millions of people all over the world. how does that feel to be that character? >> it's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, honestly. there are these moments where i pinch myself. i remind myself, you know, when i was a little girl, jumping up from behind the couch singing to my grandfather, you know -- what

i wanted to do from way back when. ♪ tomorrow tomorrow i love ya tomorrow ♪ ♪ you're alwonly a day away ♪ >> reporter: idina grew up on new york's long island and started her career in music singing for bar and bat mitzvahs. ♪ i'll do my best to make it ♪ >> reporter: little did anyone know it would one day lead to broadway where she first burst onto the scene in the ground-breaking rock musical "rent." in which she played maureen johnson, a bisexual performance artist. ♪ just remember that i'm your baby ♪ ♪ take me for what i am ♪ >> reporter: the lgbtq+ community inspiring her performance then. and now on her latest album and dance project which she calls a love letter to them. how did they inspire this album? >> i have intense feelings about

it, because the queer community has really supported me, embraced my creativity. any choices i made artistically through my whole life, to sort of step into the footsteps of these characters, i needed to really understand what it's like to have all this power but not necessarily know who you are until finally you see yourself and you relinquish it into the world and you do great things with it. and it's my friends and my family in the queer community that have really demonstrated that to me through their courage and their living of their lives authentically. >> reporter: she also has the much-anticipated "frozen iii" on the horizon. i would be in a lot of trouble with my three children if i did not talk about "frozen iii" with elsa. where would you like to see her journey go? >> i'd like to see her find true love. >> reporter: idina herself finding true love in recent years. she married fellow actor aaron

lohr in 2017. in this moment in her life, she's proud to own all of it. >> i write about those feelings, trying to figure out who i am. even still at the age of 52. it doesn't go away, you're always still searching for your identity and who you are and how you're evolving and how you see the world and not changing or compromising yourself for anyone. >> stephanie: our thanks to rhiannon. the upcoming film "frozen iii" is produced by our parent company, disney. up next, dolly parton. why she's decided to let it be. ♪ let it be ♪ ♪ let it be let it be let it be ♪ ♪ whisper words of wisdom let it be ♪ this isn't charmin! no wonder i don't feel as clean. hurry up dad! you've been in there forever!

i'm trying! this cheap stuff is too thin! i told you not to get the other toilet paper. here's charmin ultra strong. ahhh! my bottom's been saved! woooo! with its diamond weave texture, charmin ultra strong cleans better with fewer sheets and less effort. what's everybody waiting for? this? ok hon, we know you're clean. we all go, why not enjoy the go with charmin. pepcid complete works fast and lasts for powerful heartburn relief. with an antacid that starts working in seconds- and a acid reducer that relieves occasional heartburn all day. other brands can't do both. pepcid complete.

every business that's why comcast business de is launching theal. mobile made free event. with our business internet, new and existing customers can get one year of unlimited mobile for free. it's our best internet. powered by the next generation 10g network and with 99.9% reliability. plus one line of free mobile for an entire year. it's the mobile made free event-happening now. get started for just $49.99 a month. plus, ask how to get one free line of unlimited mobile.

comcast business, powering possibilities. my most important kitchen tool? my brain. so i choose neuriva plus. unlike some others, neuriva plus is a multitasker supporting 6 key indicators of brain health. to help keep me sharp. neuriva: think bigger. rsv is in for a surprise. meet arexvy. ( ♪ ) the first fda-approved rsv vaccine. arexvy is used to prevent lower respiratory disease from rsv in people 60 years and older. rsv can severely affect the lungs and lower airways. arexvy is proven to be over 82% effective in preventing lower respiratory disease from rsv and over 94% effective in those with these health conditions. ( ♪ ) arexvy does not protect everyone and is not for those with severe allergic reactions to its ingredients.

those with weakened immune systems may have a lower response to the vaccine. the most common side effects are injection site pain, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and joint pain. rsv can be serious. talk to your doctor or pharmacist about arexvy today. rsv? make it arexvy.

♪ >> stephanie: finally tonight, is there anything dolly parton cannot do? now she's responsible for a mini beatles reunion. ♪ let it be let it be ♪ >> stephanie: the country music icon recorded the classic "let it be" with the band's two living members, paul mccartney and ringo starr. ♪ let it be speaking words of wisdom let it be ♪ >> stephanie: and that's not the only rock star power on the song. peter frampton plays guitar, and mick fleetwood, percussion. parton writing on