Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude

The Root 100 2016 Gala Celebrated the Best in Black Art, Athletics, Activism and More

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

The Root celebrated the eighth year of The Root 100 list of influential African Americans, and the first gala with newly appointed Managing Editor Danielle Belton, on Monday in New York City at the swanky venue (that made every girl in the room want to host her wedding there) Guastavino's.

Belton says, “Though I’ve been a part of The Root 100 for several years, this year is very special to me as new managing editor, particularly since our theme this year recognizes those influencers who use their platform for change. Every day, The Root aims to champion change through our reporting and coverage of the issues, so it’s important for us to honor those who do the same.”

Advertisement

And she’s right (duh)! The Root 100 is a celebration of the best and brightest black people championing their communities. And when you have Bomani Jones, the irreverent and prolific host of The Right Time on ESPN radio and co-host of ESPN's Highly Questionable, as the master of ceremonies, you’re in for a night of joy and no sleep (aka being woke).

The Root’s publisher, Donna Byrd, opened the night by paying homage to one of the biggest black voices in media, Gwen Ifill, whom we lost Monday. The room sighed in sadness but delighted in having a chance to honor this legend in a room of excellence.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Jones never holds his tongue, and neither do any of the esteemed honorees who graced us with their presence. That description couldn't have rung more true for honoree Luvvie Ajayi, a New York Times best-selling author (I'm Judging You) and all-around fearless pop culture pundit, who spoke during the event.

The unfiltered scribe stood proudly onstage and went off-script to address the solemn times we're in since the election that made Donald Trump president-elect. "I blame white women," Ajayi boldly stated before a stunning room filled with laughter. She went on to speak about how voting played out by the numbers, and that it felt good to blame white women because history had done nothing but protect them.

Advertisement

If everyone in the room wasn't in love with her before that speech, they most certainly tripped and fell into it afterward. "Continue being disrupters," Ajayi urged as she became emotional around Ifill's death.

Other honorees who addressed the crowd were Adam Foss, former assistant district attorney in the Juvenile Division of Boston's Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and an advocate for juvenile-justice reform, and Symone Sanders, the former national press secretary for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign and a CNN political commentator, both of whom roused the crowd with encouraging words around a damaging election and a weary America.

Advertisement

While each speaker filled us up with food for thought, the actual dinner was nothing less than delectable. Guests received a three-course meal that rivaled their mama's best dishes.

And after dinner, there was the after-party, filled with face painting, more cocktails and dancing the night away. Infiniti’s slogan is “Empower the drive,” and so the night was saturated in empowerment and inspiration.

Advertisement

And just in case you couldn’t be there, here’s the ultimate gallery so that you can feel as if you were in the room. You’re welcome.

Chef Roblé Ali and the Infiniti Q60

Advertisement

The sleek Infiniti Q60

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree and Host Bomani Jones

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Darnell L. Moore

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Charlene Carruthers

Advertisement

The Root Managing Editor Danielle Belton, The Root 100 Host and Honoree Bomani Jones and The Root Publisher Donna Byrd

Advertisement

Chef Roblé Ali and Adam Banks

Advertisement

The Root 100 Performers Apt 33

Advertisement

The Root Chairman Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Evita Robinson

Advertisement

The Root Publisher Donna Byrd and The Root Chairman Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Advertisement

Infiniti Rep Danielle Austen, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Donna Byrd, Chef Roblé Ali, Danielle Belton

Advertisement

The Root 100 honoree and host Bomani Jones with The Root Publisher Donna Byrd

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Adam Foss

Advertisement

The Root 100 Performer Maude Arnold

Advertisement

Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Allison Keyes

Advertisement

The Root Young, Fabulous and Female Panelist Jovian Zayne and Wondaland DJ George Two Point Oh

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Haben Girma and Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honorees Wesley Lowery and Damon Young

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Rue Mapp and Guest

Advertisement

The Root 100 2015 Honoree Jamil Smith and Guest

Advertisement

Sway in the Morning Co-Host Tracy G

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Elaine Welteroth

Advertisement

Bree Newsome

Advertisement

The Root writer Demetria Lucas D’Oyley

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Luke Lawal Jr. and guest

Advertisement

Inside the Room

Advertisement

The Root 100 Performers Apt 33

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree and Host Bomani Jones

Advertisement

The Root Publisher Donna Byrd

Advertisement

The Table Setting

Advertisement

First Course by Chef Roblé

Advertisement

Second Course by Chef Roblé

Advertisement

Desserts, Thanks Infiniti!

Advertisement

Party Time!

Advertisement

Bomani Jones and Luvvie Ajayi

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honorees Selfie

Advertisement

Infiniti’s Danielle Austen

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Symone Sanders

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Adam Foss

Advertisement

The Honorees

Advertisement

The Awards

Advertisement

Honorees and Their Awards

Advertisement

DJ Jon Blak

Advertisement

Swag Bags

Advertisement

The Root 100 Honoree Kassandra Frederique

Advertisement

Face Painting

Advertisement

The Crowd Getting Down

Advertisement

Thanks, Infiniti

Advertisement

Guests

Advertisement

The Root Staffer P.J. Rickards and Guest

Advertisement

Glowmaven Latham Thomas and Guests

Advertisement

The Root 100 Performers Apt 33

Advertisement

The Root Staffer Danielle Young and Guests

Advertisement

Infiniti Q60: Empower the Drive

Advertisement

The Root Writers Michael Arceneaux and Maiysha Kai

Advertisement

The Root Staff Breanna Edwards, Danielle Belton and Yesha Callahan

Advertisement

The Root Managing Editor Danielle Belton

Advertisement

ABC News’ Joi-Marie McKenzie