the root 100
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'We Need Each Other:' The Beautifully Inventive Ways Black Folks Have Connected While Socially Distant
“The way that we have manifested community under the backdrop of all of this, it has been so Black. It has been so beautiful.” — Aisha Nyandoro, CEO at Springboard to Opportunities, 2020 The Root 100 Honoree text Aisha Nyandoro has attended a wedding, her book club, gone to happy hour, and played spades—all on…
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Funny, Shady, and Everything in Between: Why Jasmyn Lawson Loves Verzuz Battles
Jasmyn Lawson has done a lot during these socially-distant times, including successfully announcing an incredible lineup of our favorite shows on Netflix that’ll keep us entertained well into winter. But when the editorial and brand manager at Netflix’s Strong Black Lead—who was also recognized on this year’s The Root 100 list—isn’t working, she’s big on…
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'They Are Really Giving the Racist Drag Race Fans a Run for Their Money': Tre'vell Anderson Celebrates the Black Queens Dominating the Show
If you don’t know who Heidi N Closet, Jaida Essence Hall, and Shea Couleé are, you are sadly missing out on “Black queer excellence,” in the words of entertainment journalist Tre’vell Anderson. The Root asked Anderson—an honoree on this year’s The Root 100 list—to share the Blackest moment of 2020 thus far and they said,…
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'There Certainly Was an Extremely Black Movement': Ibram X. Kendi Recounts How Blackness Has Been on Display in 2020
Ibram X. Kendi, Ph.D. doesn’t necessarily know of the single Blackest moment so far in 2020. This year’s The Root 100 honoree does, however, recognize 2020 as a time greatly influenced by “an extremely Black movement.” “You have Black folks, you know, all over this country—and really all over the world—who were really showing this…
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Yamiche Alcindor Reflects on the Late Congressman John Lewis' Lasting Impact
“I get emotional just thinking about the fact that [John Lewis] in his last days still had advice, still had something to give to us.” — Yamiche Alcindor, Journalist, 2020 The Root 100 Honoree text Yamiche Alcindor holds the late civil rights titan John Lewis in high regard. That’s why the PBS NewsHour White House…
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Tre'vell Anderson Honors TransGriot Creator and Activist Monica Roberts
“I’m glad to be sharing a spot on this list with so many other Black queer and trans folks who are doing the work and committed to our liberation.” — Tre’vell Anderson, Journalist, 2020 The Root 100 Honoree text Tre’vell Anderson is booked, busy and a bad bitch who isn’t afraid to let you know…
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'COVID Can't Cancel Your Dreams': Aisha Nyandoro on Working in Purpose and Her The Root 100 Recognition
“Lists like The Root 100 need to exist. Those of us who are doing the work need to see that work recognized, especially for those of us who work in community.” — Aisha Nyandoro, CEO at Springboard to Opportunities, 2020 The Root 100 Honoree text Aisha Nyandoro was midway through her morning routine when she…
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'I'm Rooting for Everybody Black' : Meet 3 Honorees From This Year's The Root 100
The Root 100 honorees are all champions, and we’ll never stop celebrating our community’s accomplishments. text From NASCAR to social media and beyond, Black folks have once again proven to be the nation’s ultimate game changers and cultural icons. And 2020’s The Root 100 list is a perfect reflection of how we influence and shape…
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Under Jasmyn Lawson's Unapologetically 'Strong Black Lead,' Our Lives Are That Much Better and Blacker
Jasmyn Lawson is Black Twitter’s best friend. Not only is the 29-year old editorial and brand manager at Netflix’s Strong Black Lead and Twitter legend pushing the culture forward, she’s also making sure our stories are amplified in the process. Lawson joins dozens of other influential Black Americans who “ride hard for our community” on…
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Raquel Willis Pays Homage to Black Transgender Ancestors and Urges Us All to Elevate the Work of Current Black Queer and Trans Trailblazers
“We would not be where we are culturally and socially, as a whole Black community, without the contributions of Black trans folks of yesteryear.” — Raquel Willis, Director of Communications for the Ms. Foundation for Women, 2020 The Root 100 Honoree text Raquel Willis is proud to sit “in such amazing company” alongside the members…