How ‘The Root’ Team Geared up for The Root 100 Celebration

In a whirlwind week of The Root 100 Honoree Event festivities, event collaborator and automaker Genesis rolled out the red carpet.

The Root 100 2024 Honoree Event was an evening to remember! Our annual gala spotlighting the 100 most influential Black Americans just went down at New York City’s Apollo Theater. We laughed, we posted on socials, we were moved by speeches and musical numbers.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Beyoncé’ Youngest Goes Viral for Hilarious Stage Antics

Just as moving were the vehicles that got us there: the Genesis GV80.

On the red carpet, the Genesis GV80 made a stunning cameo. Attendees, influencers, and notable talent posed with the vehicle, sliding into the elegant cabin to soak up luxurious details from every angle. From the car’s panoramic sunroof, the lights of uptown New York shone brightly, almost as brightly as the GV80’s standard 27-inch OLED navigation display. The interior ambient lighting and open-pore wood accents set the mood for a night blending modern and classic styles. In summary, the GV80 stole the spotlight.

When it was time to head to the afters, a fleet of Genesis vehicles chauffeured our celebrity guests, hosts, and influencers there in safety and style.

It was the perfect cherry on top of a week of The Root and Genesis collaboration, which began with a visit to Genesis Studio at Hudson Yards where we got to test drive the vehicles. This was followed by a trip to Genesis House, the automaker’s NYC-based cultural space curating design, hospitality, and technology. Alongside Friends of Genesis guests, we were hosted as “son-nim”, which means “honored guest” in Korean, and enjoyed a dinner inspired by recipes of ancient Korean royalty at their in-house restaurant, and visited the immersive light installation STARSCAPE inspired by “Dongji,” the Korean celebration of the Winter Solstice.

We captured some of the standout moments from this week’s festivities. Click to check them out!

Kicking off the week with a gourmet dinner

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Jocelyn “Joz” Wang, Head of Multicultural Marketing and Corporate Branding at Genesis Motor America, Michael Clark, Head of Multicultural Partnerships at G/O Media and celebrity guests at The Root 100 reception dinner. In attendance were actor and comedian Flex Alexander, actress Carla Renata, chef Esther Choi, comedian and Executive Producer of SHERRI with Sherri Shepherd Jawn Murray, celebrity stylist Paul Wharton, actor and content creator Ryan Alexander Holmes, TV producer and entrepreneur Mona Scott-Young, actor Alyx Fabrega, and athlete and entrepreneur Josh Dixon.

Mixing and mingling

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Joz Wang and Jawn Murray explore the selection of art books at Genesis House.

Taking the Genesis GV60 for a spin

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Actress, film critic, and singer Carla Renata gets behind the wheel of a Genesis GV60.

Pulling up to the function

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

A cavalcade of Genesis sedans and SUVs chauffeured notable attendees to the Apollo Theater for showtime at The Root 100.

Snapping the perfect pic

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Mona Scott-Young and Paul Wharton arrive in style with the Uyuni White Genesis GV80 on the red carpet of The Root 100 gala.

Always looking fresh

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Jawn Murray makes himself comfy lounging against a Uyuni White GV80 with the Apollo Marquee making a cameo.

In the club, we all fam

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Team Genesis and team The Root have a lovely pow wow just before showtime.

Serving pap walk realness

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Mona Scott-Young and Paul Wharton stepping out of a Genesis sedan and onto the red carpet at The Root 100 Honoree Event. The perfect throwback aughts paparazzi photo.

After the show it’s the afterparty

Photo: RobinLori Photography for Genesis USA

Kyle Hiroto and Joz Wang from Team Genesis enjoying a post-show moment at The Red Rooster in Harlem.

This article is a collaboration between Genesis and G/O Media Studios.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

With Trump facing continuous protests, lawsuits and dissent within his own party, growing pressure could mean a disastrous ending for him …
A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin's 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin’s 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

In honor of what would have been her 84th birthday, check out the beautiful palace that the Queen of Soul called home! …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …
Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

Lamar Odom’s Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

While many know NBA star Lamar Odom for his famous relationship with Khloe Kardashian, his teenage sweetheart is finally opening up about their dynamic …
Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the 'Verzuz' Battle

Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the ‘Verzuz’ Battle

“Verzuz” is back, y’all! From “Sweet Lady” to “When We,” Tank and Tyrese are bringing all their hits to the stage. We curated the best playlist to get you ready to sing and slow dance for the show …
Black People Are Asking Why Didn't Anyone Know About  Mamdani’s Wife’s  N-Word Tweets

Black People Are Asking Why Didn’t Anyone Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black folks are pissed after Zohran Mamdani’s wife’s old tweets resurfaced, painting her in a problematic light within the Black community …
The Numbers Don't Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

The Numbers Don’t Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

From the C-suite to entrepreneurship, Black women have had a record-breaking rise in recent years, even as they battle an uneven playing field …
Why a Comedian's Translation of 'The Lion King's' Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

Why a Comedian’s Translation of ‘The Lion King’s’ Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

The “Circle of Life” chant is one of the most recognizable sounds in Disney movie history! But right now, it’s the center of a $27 million legal war …
Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Reviews are mixed on whether maskless Black ICE agents are causing more harm than good in U.S. airports …
Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Shay Taylor-Allen shared a now-viral clip of the moment she learned that she would do her medical residency at Yale Hospital –where she once worked as a janitor …
We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

Usher and Justin Bieber allegedly got into a ‘heated exchange’ during an Oscars after-party. And now we’ve got insight into what really went down! …
Boston's 'Best Social Justice Advocate' Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Boston’s ‘Best Social Justice Advocate’ Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Monica Cannon-Grant, named “Bostonian of the Year,” stole donations and rental aid while illegally collecting unemployment as she organized BLM …
Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

In a shocking turn of events, a Republican judge and DA both agreed a woman’s arrest after taking abortion pills in Georgia was “problematic.” …
'How Long Not Long' – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King's Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

‘How Long Not Long’ – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King’s Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

Today, 61 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous Alabama speech, “How Long, Not Long,” reminding us that the arc of the moral universe bends only when we bend it …
Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy's Character During Trial

Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy’s Character During Trial

Rapper Yung Miami, one half of the rap duo The City Girls, was romantically linked to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from 2021 to 2023 …
Why Michael B. Jordan's Oscar Win Isn't Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

Why Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win Isn’t Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

While many are ecstatic over Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win, Judge Joe Brown says it’s not all it’s cracked up to be …
A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

Calif. AG Rob Bonta is investigating whether systemic racism impacted how emergency responders reacted to devastating Eaton wildfires …
Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, is opening up about the eerie connection he had to her home shooting …
New Twist in Nia Long's Allege Stalker Drama

New Twist in Nia Long’s Allege Stalker Drama

‘The Best Man’ actress seeks court protection for her family following a two-year pattern of alleged harassment and a terrifying weekend encounter …
What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

J. Cole said he was “disgusted” that the world turned on Drake during his beef against Kendrick Lamar …