This year’s Root 100 lineup is packed with trailblazers, but this year’s political changemakers stand out for their relentless commitment to building a better America. From city halls to Capitol Hill — to standing against Trump’s administration — they’ve been pushing legislation, defending democracy, and fighting for communities too often overlooked. And as the political landscape grows more turbulent, these leaders are proving that courage and accountability still have a place in government and politics.
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Let’s take a look at our political honorees putting in the work, challenging the status quo and changing lives in real time. These are the public servants you need to know.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris has long been a trailblazer, breaking barriers as the first woman American vice president. The former VP was honored with the NAACP’s Chairman’s Award at the 56th Image Awards for her lifetime of public service and her powerful call for collective action.
Jasmine Crockett
Jasmine Crockett is committed to protecting civil liberties and uplifting marginalized communities. This year, she introduced a resolution to recognize July as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, spotlighting racial disparities in mental health care.
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson, Chicago’s trailblazing mayor, has focused on community safety, education, and economic justice, and this year passed a “Green Social Housing” ordinance to fund greener, cleaner, and affordable housing. The leader is no stranger to calling out racial injustice, and making a way for a path forward.
Brandon Scott
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has led celebrated, impactful revitalization efforts, breaking ground this year on a new library and expanding a local park to invest directly in his community. Plus, he’s got the city of Baltimore to back up his metrics as crime continues to drop over major categories.
Everett Kelley
Impactful labor leader Everett Kelley is the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union for U.S. federal and D.C. In November, Kelley urged Congress to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act, ensuring federal employees are paid during government funding lapses.
Letitia James
Attorney General Letitia James of New York is known for her fierce legal advocacy. This year, she announced a $1 billion settlement with predatory lender Yellowstone Capital to cancel over $534 million in debt for more than 1,100 small businesses.
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is a visionary governor of Maryland, driving bold reforms in government and economic growth. In May, Moore signed the Procurement Reform Act of 2025 and the Budget Bill for FY 2026, turning the state’s budget deficit into a surplus while modernizing procurement, raising transparency, and expanding opportunities for small businesses.
Nicole Collier
Nicole Collier is a steadfast Texas state representative of Fort Worth, dedicated to justice, public health, and fairness. In August, Collier refused to sign a “permission slip” that would have forced her to accept a state trooper escort amid a two-week walkout over a GOP mid-decade redistricting plan. Instead, she stayed overnight on the House floor in protest of authoritarian surveillance.
Jolanda Jones
Jolanda Jones is a fierce Texas state representative and civil rights attorney fighting for justice, equity, and her community. This year, she launched her campaign for Texas’s 18th Congressional District, vowing to protect healthcare, reproductive rights, and voting access. Furthermore, Jones has been vocal in fighting against the Trump administration.
Maurice Mitchell
Maurice Mitchell is the very influential national director behind the influential Working Families Party, and is a seasoned social movement strategist. The trailblazer made headlines when he declared anti-DEI efforts “anti-Black,” detailing how those rollbacks threaten racial justice and Black progress.
Joshua Doss
Joshua Doss is a strategic political pollster and senior research manager at HIT Strategies, where he leads key research on Black voter behavior and economic narrative. The research manager co‑hosted HIT’s “Black Ops 2025” talker call, unpacking insights from the 2024 election and outlining a data‑driven strategy to help mobilize Black voters for the 2026 midterms.
Nina Turner
Nina Turner is a fearless progressive leader, former Ohio state senator, and founder of the humanitarian group “We Are Somebody.” In September, she delivered the keynote address at the Chicago Teachers Union’s 2025 LEAD dinner, calling out systemic injustice and championing working people.
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