Lauren is a former Deputy Editor of The Root.
The Evening's Panelists
Paris Dennard of the Republican National Committee; the NAACP's Stephanie Brown; Gary Flowers of the Black Leadership Forum; Charles Ellison, host of The New School on XM/Sirius radio; panel moderator and BET White House correspondent Andre Showall; and communications professional and 2008 Barack Obama campaign aide Jesse Moore.
Burning Questions
Moderator Andre Showell of BET poses questions to the panel.
Talking Politics
Radio host and political writer Charles Ellison explains the importance of the election.
All About the Youth Vote
Jesse Moore shares with the crowd his hopes that young people will continue to be engaged in politics.
A Good Night to Be GOP
The lone Republican on the panel, the RNC's Paris Dennard, said he hoped that at the end of the election, Nancy Pelosi would no longer be speaker of the House. He got his wish!
The Crowd
The scene at the IMPACT D.C. election party.
Election-Night Mingling
Helena Andrews (center), a columnist for The Root and author of Bitch Is the New Black, chats with folks in the crowd.
Legal Eagles
Hope Goins, counsel for the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Jill Butler, a lawyer for the Social Security Administration, pose with a friend.
Post-Panel Partying
Panelists Charles Ellison and Jesse Moore.
The Root Crew Represents
Associate Editor Lauren Williams, Managing Editor Joel Dreyfuss and Editor-at-Large Nsenga Burton.
Internet Power
Helena Andrews poses with Angel Elliott, BET.com's political producer, and Jason Parker.
Bad News?
Two partygoers react to election results.
Toasts and Tallies
Enjoying drinks with election results in the background.
DISCUSSION