Photos: The Root 100 Release Party at Martha’s Vineyard

On Aug. 19 The Root hosted a reception to announce the honorees who made The Root 100 for 2014. Now in its fifth year, The Root 100 is our annual ranking of the most influential African-American leaders. This year, for the first time, the list was unveiled at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Attendees included Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes, activist Benjamin Todd Jealous and actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The Root 100 complete list, with rankings, will be released Sept. 10.

The Root Managing Editor Lyne Pitts, The Root Editor-in-Chief Henry Louis Gates Jr. and The Root Publisher Donna Byrd.

Screenwriter and Belle director Amma Asante, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Belle star Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Former NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous and former NBC executive Paula Madison, who recently documented her search for her Chinese relatives.

The Root’s contributing editor Peniel Joseph.

Lyne Pitts; Kelly MacDonald, from event sponsor Infiniti; and Donna Byrd.

Andrew Brock, from event sponsor Infiniti; Amma Asante; Henry Louis Gates Jr.; Gugu Mbatha-Raw; Sonya Ede, director of publicity at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment; and Kelly MacDonald.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes.

Henry Louis Gates Jr., Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Amma Asante, Donna Byrd, Kelly MacDonald and Andrew Brock.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. and guests.

CEO of Team Ignition Danielle Austin and Kelly MacDonald.

Peniel Joseph, Amma Asante, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Dear White People director Justin Simien.

Donna Byrd and Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Writer-producers Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, Lyne Pitts, and Donna Byrd.

Sisters Annice Allen and Julie Kimberly Allen with Liza Gates, the daughter of Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Kenya Morris and Rahama Wright of Shea Yeleen.

CBS News’ Alvin Patrick with son Andrew, daughter Arielle and wife Beverly.

Freada Kapor Klein and her husband, Mitchell Kapor, of the Kapor Center for Social Impact.

Justin Simien with guests.

Amma Asante with her husband, Soren Pedersen.

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