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
New York County Ballot Lawsuit Sparks Election Integrity Firestorm on Social Media

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

Why It Is So Hard to Believe These 15 Public Figures Face Accusations of Racism

Why It Is So Hard to Believe These 15 Public Figures Face Accusations of Racism

While the typical face of supremacy is well-known, there is a growing, complex wave of leaders, commentators, and politicians who have been accused of racism—even though they look just like us …
The Ultimate Nipsey Hussle Playlist

The Ultimate Nipsey Hussle Playlist

Seven years after his passing, we’re commemorating the life and legacy of “Neighborhood Nip” with the essential tracks every self-made hustler needs to have on rotation …
Inside FKA Twigs, Shia LaBeouf's Relationship Drama

Inside FKA Twigs, Shia LaBeouf’s Relationship Drama

From the beginning of their relationship in 2018 to now, FKA twigs and Shia LaBeouf have been embroiled in a legal and public back and forth. Let’s dig into the latest! …
Amber Rose Wants White People to Be Able to Say the N-Word Without Consequence...Here's Why

Amber Rose Wants White People to Be Able to Say the N-Word Without Consequence…Here’s Why

Amber Rose says she allows her kids to curse because they have free speech, AND that white people should say the N-word…and the backlash was swift …
Why 'Paradise' Season Two Finale Has Fans So Shook!

Why ‘Paradise’ Season Two Finale Has Fans So Shook!

The season two finale of Sterling K. Brown’s ‘Paradise’ has folks all over social media talking—and for good reason. Let’s get into it! …
NBA Player Fired Over Anti-LGBTQ Pride Month Comments Sparks Free Speech Debate

NBA Player Fired Over Anti-LGBTQ Pride Month Comments Sparks Free Speech Debate

In a heated debate over religion vs. policy, the Chicago Bulls just waived Jaden Ivey for speaking out about the NBA’s pride nights …
Why Every Black American Must Watch the Birthright Citizenship Fight This Week

Why Every Black American Must Watch the Birthright Citizenship Fight This Week

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on President Trump’s attempt to axe the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship for the descendants of slavery …
Tisha Campbell Explains Why She'll Always 'Protect' Martin Lawrence, But the Internet Has Questions

Tisha Campbell Explains Why She’ll Always ‘Protect’ Martin Lawrence, But the Internet Has Questions

Tisha Campbell may have more positive feelings for her former costar Martin Lawrence now, but some folks online aren’t buying it. Let’s get into why! …
House Democrat Seeks Reparations for Immigrants Impacted By Trump's Policies

House Democrat Seeks Reparations for Immigrants Impacted By Trump’s Policies

Rep. Pramila Jayapal calls for reparations for immigrant families tramatized by Trump’s mass deportation policy …
Black Virginia Family Finds Army Discharge Papers That Unlock a Mother's Secret WWII Legacy

Black Virginia Family Finds Army Discharge Papers That Unlock a Mother’s Secret WWII Legacy

Stacy Brown and her family had no idea that her mother was one of more than 800 women assigned to the only all-Black female battalion during World War II …
What it Cost My Family to Find My Cousin in a Country That Often Forgets Black Women

What it Cost My Family to Find My Cousin in a Country That Often Forgets Black Women

For Black people, uncertainty in America is a frequent state of existence because we are categorically less safe …
Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Allegedly Committing Crime

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Allegedly Committing Crime

More information about the woman charged with shooting at Rihanna’s home have been released and it’s truly disturbing! …
Florida’s Rooney Rule Challenge is Rooted in White Supremacy – and Legal Fiction

Florida’s Rooney Rule Challenge is Rooted in White Supremacy – and Legal Fiction

OPINION: The ongoing legal challenge to Florida’s Rooney Rule, a policy designed to promote diversity in the hiring of state college coaches and athletic directors, must be understood not as a legitimate legal argument, but as an act of legal fiction rooted in white supremacy …
Top 5 Black Disney TV Shows, Movies That Deserve Anniversary Specials

Top 5 Black Disney TV Shows, Movies That Deserve Anniversary Specials

While many fans are happy about the recent ‘Hannah Montana’ anniversary special, let’s take a look at some Black Disney shows that are deserving of one, too! …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
The Four Black Women Coaches Who Took Their Teams to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Women's Tournament

The Four Black Women Coaches Who Took Their Teams to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Women’s Tournament

By the time there were 16 teams left in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, four of them were coached by Black women. How did they do? …
This Black Woman Is The Most Gorgeous Barber on TikTok

This Black Woman Is The Most Gorgeous Barber on TikTok

Folks on TikTok are loving this Black barber, who’s not only great at her job, but looks like a model too …
After Tyler Perry Attempts to Pay TSA Works Himself, DHS Officially Steps In

After Tyler Perry Attempts to Pay TSA Works Himself, DHS Officially Steps In

To help ease financial pain on TSA amid the government shutdown, billionaire Tyler Perry stepped in… and then, this happened …
How Carlos Boozer's Twin Sons, Duke Basketball Stars Cameron and Cayden, Saved Their Big Brother's Life

How Carlos Boozer’s Twin Sons, Duke Basketball Stars Cameron and Cayden, Saved Their Big Brother’s Life

Conceived to save their brother’s life, ex-NBA star Carlos Boozer’s twins Cameron and Cayden are living proof that some wins don’t show up on a scoreboard …
Kerry Washington Shares the Marriage Move That Has Made Her Relationship Last

Kerry Washington Shares the Marriage Move That Has Made Her Relationship Last

Kerry Washington is usually private about her marriage to former NFL-star and actor Nnamdu Asomugha. But now she’s opening up like never before! …