The star-studded moment has finally arrived! We’re live at the annual The Root 100 Gala on Dec. 3 at Gotham Hall in NYC, celebrating a powerhouse lineup of Black trailblazers, cultural shifters, and political change-makers redefining what’s possible. Just weeks after Ashley Allison introduced her company, Watering Hole Media, as the new steward of The Root — originally launched in 2008 by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald E. Graham — she’s already making her mark and charting a bold vision for the brand’s future.
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With some of your favorite Root 100 honorees in attendance — from Don Lemon to Tamron Hall — the night is sure to heat up, as Allison takes the stage to honor the brilliance in the room, and look ahead to a future built by and for, unapologetic Black voices during a time it matters most.
Dressed in a striking ensemble that reflected the night’s energy and glamour, Allison took center stage in a crimson red petal midi dress and matching pumps, representing Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated!
Black Ownership Matters
It’s more important than ever that The Root is Black-owned, especially in a climate where Black voices are still fighting to be heard. Amid challenging times — from the setbacks under the Trump administration to political austerity and the ongoing erasure of Black stories, culture, and achievements — Ashley Allison is charting a bold path forward, ensuring that Black excellence is amplified, celebrated, and sustained for generations to come.
“The 2025 Root 100 are the best in class. They took their divine calling for this moment and rose to the occasion,” Allison said. “They curated cultural moments that will not be forgotten, they asked the tough questions and even some follow-ups to ensure the truth came out. They wrote business plans and board reports that landed them in c-suites, and they stood in the gap of right vs. wrong to get us one step closer to freedom.”
Drawing from her years as a teacher, Allison approaches The Root with the same clarity, purpose, and high expectations she once set in the classroom. Her mission is clear: to elevate Black voices with integrity, discipline, and curiosity. For her, Black ownership isn’t just a milestone; it’s a responsibility, and she’s inviting the community to join the lesson, take the assignment, and help write the next chapters of Black legacy.
The Way Forward in Black Storytelling
Under her leadership, The Root is entering a new chapter, expanding coverage of “politics, launching podcasts, and producing video-first shows” that highlight our people, our policies, and the Black experience. This mission is made even more vital, as Black voices continue to be challenged, overlooked, and undervalued in today’s shifting political and cultural landscape.
The question Allison poses to listeners is simple — but powerful: “What is your assignment? What are you going to do in this moment?” For her, the assignment was to buy The Root — a bold step that sets a new standard for excellence and integrity in Black storytelling. This is a responsibility she approaches with intention and care. And for us — she’s confident that we’ll do what it takes to keep the vision alive.
“Ownership without integrity, discipline and clarity — means nothing,” she urged. “We at The Root are going to keep doing the work. We will refine our editorial approach and push the bounds to tell the stories some newsrooms ignore. We are going to keep studying, because there will always be a test. I’m asking each and every one of you to come on this journey with us,” Allison said.
“The time is now, the time is ours, our story is still just at the beginning. We have the assignment: to help write the next chapters, it is mine, it is yours, it’s ours! Our name is on it!” she declared.
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