Now playing 03:15The Root 100An Unforgettable Root 100: Jon Batiste, Fani Willis, Misty Copeland & Many More Honored & PerformAn evening of comedy, music, and powerful speeches by the most influential Black Americans brought the Apollo Theater to life.Adriano Contreras, Amira Castilla, and 1 more
Remember Obama's Anger Translator? Roy Wood Jr. Brings It Back For Karine Jean-PierreRoot 100 host Roy Wood Jr. made a joke about WH Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre trying not to curse during press briefings.Jessica Washington
Now playing 02:40The Root 100: Roy Wood Jr., Karine Jean-Pierre & Others Talk Impactful Black Issues On The Red CarpetHonorees of our annual event honoring influential Black Americans reflect on their most important concerns affecting our community.Jessica Washington, Amira Castilla, and 1 more
Jon Batiste's Root 100 Speech Was One Of The Most Memorable Moments Of The NightThe esteemed musician felt right at home at the Apollo.Candace McDuffie
The Root 100The Root 100 Red Carpet Moments 2023The Root celebrated the most influential Black Americans at The ApolloAmira Castilla
New Info About Fani Willis’ Trump Plans RevealedIn emails obtained by the Guardian, the Fulton County district attorney seems to be anticipating jail time in the Trump trial.Jessica Washington
Root 100 Honoree Misty Copeland on The Apollo and Black Representation in BalletThe iconic ballerina accepted the award for Arts and Activism at The Root 100Amira Castilla
Al Roker, Deborah Roberts Celebrate the Legacy of Their Parents While Accepting The Root 100 HonorThe TV news legends were honored for "Partnership and Purpose" at The Root 100 Gala at Harlem’s Apollo Theater on Tuesday.Stephanie Holland
Music, Culture and History Reigned in The Apollo Theater And The Root 100Blackness reigned in Tuesday's packed gala event at Harlem's iconic theater.James R. Sanders
The Root 100Let's Celebrate the 2023 Root 100 Honorees!Take a look at our annual list of the country’s top Black artists, influencers, and change-makers.Tatsha Robertson
The Root 100The Glam Looks We Want To See At The Root 100: 2023There's still time to join us at Apollo. Not sure what to wear to the big event...? Here's our lookbook!Amira Castilla
The Root 100Halle Bailey, Jalen Hurts, Issa Rae, and More Black Celebs on The 2023 Root 100 listNoah A. McGee
The Root 100The Root 100 2023: Black Americans at the Top of Their Game in Politics and STEMJessica Washington
Hot TeaCam'Ron Vs. Melyssa Ford: Rapper Turns Down Apology And Makes Shocking Claim Against Video VixenThe Dipset emcee had a few things to get off his chest.Candace McDuffie
The Root 1005 Reasons Jon Batiste is The Root 100’s First-Ever “Voice and Vision” HonoreeThe multi-hyphenate artist is on fire with his 2023 studio album, “World Music Radio.”Angela Johnson
Black ExcellenceThe Evolution of Doug E. FreshWe take a look at Doug E. Fresh’s incredible career as a rapper, producer, beatboxer and one of the most influential members of Hip-Hop culture.Noah A. McGee
The Root 1005 Reasons Roy Wood Jr. is the Perfect Host for The Root 100 2023The comedian and former correspondent for The Daily Show hosts our celebration of Black excellence at the legendary Apollo Theater.Angela Johnson
The Root 100The Root 100 Red Carpet Moments 2023The Root celebrated the most influential Black Americans at The ApolloAmira Castilla
The Root 100Loni Love Discusses Her Epic Career Ahead Of Hosting The Root 100 2022 CelebrationThe beloved comedian's got a lot to say about what it takes to succeed in Hollywood.Candace McDuffie
The Root 100Candice Hoyes on Sharing Her Unique Influences at The Root 100 2022 CelebrationThe R&B; singer discusses her creative influences and the significance of performing at the Apollo Theater.Noah A. McGee
The Root 100SΔMMUS Discusses The Honor Of Bringing Black Feminism To The Root 100 2022 CelebrationThe Ithaca native is excited to share her art on a night highlighting Black excellence.Candace McDuffie
The Root 100Naomi Raine on Expressing Her Faith and Talents at The Root 100 2022 CelebrationThe gospel singer discusses growing up in a family of artists, and performing at the Apollo Theater.Noah A. McGee
The Root Honored Black Excellence at The ApolloThe 2022 Root 100 Gala was a star-studded event celebrating the best of our culture.Angela Johnson
Michelle Obama, The Root 100 2022's #1 Honoree, Gives Us All The Feels As She Discusses Life, Love and Her New BookThe former First Lady caught up with her forever fans at The Root while on her wildly popular book tour for The Light We Carry.Vanessa De Luca
Photo Gallery: The 2022 Root 100 At The Historic Apollo TheaterCheck out the night's most magical moments celebrating Black excellence.Candace McDuffie
The Root 100 List: 2022Take a look at our annual list of the country’s top Black artists, influencers, and change-makers.Vanessa K. De Luca
The Root 100 List: 2021Astellar list of Black leaders that includes Nikole Hannah-Jones, Cori Bush, Ibram X. Kendi, Renee Montgomery and Megan Thee Stallion.Genetta M. Adams
The Root 100 List: 2017When we launched The Root 100 in 2009, it was the perfect time to celebrate Black excellence. The arrival of the country’s first Black president was an occasion to champion the achievements of today’s African-Americans heroes.The Root Staff
Now playing 01:50So You Think You Know The Root 100?Every year The Root honors the best and the blackest on an esteemed list that we call The Root 100. If you’re just hearing of The Root 100, then get with it.Felice León
Now playing 02:43Black Excellence, Opulence, Decadence: Celebrating 10 Years of The Root 100Jessica Moulite
Now playing 03:04Stacey Abrams Delivers Inspiring Acceptance Speech for The 2019 Root 100Ashley Velez
Now playing 02:28The 2019 Root 100: How Well Do You Know These Figures of Black Excellence?Peter J. Rickards
Now playing 02:23Saving Lives on the Frontlines: 3 Root 100 Honorees Names You Need to KnowPeter J. Rickards
The Root 100 No. 1s: Beyoncé Will Forever Be Bey-ond. She’s So Fly, They Named a Fly After HerWhat can be said about Queen Bey that hasn’t already been said, done, sung, texted, tweeted, explicated, unpacked, imagined? In an age when there are very few true superstars, she stands alone; one of a few black women, one of a few of her…Angela Helm
The Root 100 No. 1s: Melissa Harris-Perry Lets the World Know She Is Not Your MammyThe indomitable Melissa Harris-Perry, once the voice of the weekends through her two-hour show on MSNBC—at once ritual before brunch or church or work and a much-needed respite from the unceasing whiteness of political punditry—gave us #Nerdland,…Angela Helm
The Root 100 No. 1s: Ben Jealous, a Supreme Builder of Bridges Over Left and RightBenjamin Todd Jealous first made a national name for himself in 2008 when, at age 35, he became the youngest leader of one of America’s oldest and most esteemed civil rights bodies, the NAACP.Angela Helm
The Root 100 No. 1s: Shonda Rhimes Changes the Face of Television ForeverThe pop-cultural impact of Shonda Rhimes cannot be overstated, although at this point, it’s hard to imagine TV without her forceful, casually diverse, complicated and occasionally ruthless characters who fall outside of what was heretofore the…Angela Helm
Bomani Jones to Host The Root 100 2016 GalaThe Root 100 is one of the biggest parties with a purpose that celebrates black excellence, activism and contributions to the world. This year’s list includes influential black people who have been responsible for some of the year’s most significant…The Root Staff
Countdown to The Root 100: Here’s a Sneak Peek at the Top STEM and Business Honorees As We Get Ready to Reveal Who Is No. 1As we continue our roll out for the 10th anniversary of The Root 100, we’re giving a sneak peek at the top three honorees in eight categories—arts, business, community, entertainment, media, politics, sports and STEM (science, technology,…Genetta M. Adams
Symone Sanders: 'Black Women Have Been Holding Up the Mantle for America Since We Can Remember'Symone Sanders is a force to be reckoned with, which is why she was named to The Root 100, our annual list of the most influential African Americans ages 25-45.Felice León
Countdown to The Root 100: Who's No. 1? Here's a Preview of the Top Honorees in Entertainment, Arts and SportsA quick Google search reveals that gifts for 10-year anniversaries should be made of either tin or aluminum, a testament to the resilience and strength of a relationship.Genetta M. Adams
The Root 100 Gala Is an Unapologetic Celebration of Black Brilliance, and This Year the Revolution Will Be TelevisedThe Root 100 celebrates the best, brightest and most brilliant forms of black excellence across every field you can think of: entertainment, activism, the arts, sports, media, politics, business, and science and technology. Every year we put out the…Danielle Young
The Blackest Moments of the 2016 The Root 100 GalaAin't no party like The Root 100 gala! To quote the great prophet Joanne the Scammer, "Honestly, truly … " The Root 100 gala fills a sprawling, well-decorated room with black philanthropic celebrities, passionate activists, truth-telling artists,…Danielle Young
Now playing 03:58The Root 100 Gala Takes the Cake, Yet Again, as the Best and Blackest Night of the YearEvery Root 100 gala is special, but this year was particularly momentous. Along with celebrating our 100 honorees, The Root also celebrated its 10th anniversary. Watch a recap of the beautiful night above.Ashley Velez
Now playing Watch: The Root 100 Gala Was the Blackest Event on TVOn Sunday The Root 100 gala aired on Fusion TV. Hosted by The Root 100 honoree Angela Rye and A.J. Calloway, the gala—which took place Nov. 9 in New York City—featured other honorees such as Franchesca Ramsey, Yamiche Alcindor and S. Lee Merritt,…Peter J. Rickards
Watch: Melanin on Fleek at The Root 100OK, so I'll admit that maybe "on fleek" is over, but it just felt right describing a celebration of melanin in the room at The Root 100 Gala Monday night. So let me have this, OK?Danielle Young
We Did That: The 2019 Root 100 Gala Celebrated a Decade of Black ExcellenceIn the increasingly fickle world of journalism, longevity is no small feat. So to be celebrating 10 years of being the leading online source of black thought, news, opinions, and excellence was a serious undertaking for The Root crew’s at our 2019…Maiysha Kai
The 2018 Root 100 Gala Celebrates Another Year of Black Excellence!We celebrate black excellence every day here at The Root, but there’s one event where we celebrate the most influential black Americans of the year: our annual Root 100 gala.Maiysha Kai
