I caught the A uptown, not too far from my old stomping grounds for the 2023 Root 100 Gala event at The Apollo Theater.
The entire evening was legendary. One of the highlights was the performance by Jon Batiste, as a music lover I appreciate the way he uses his voice and plays the piano. We saw a preview of his new Documentary, which premiers on Netflix. The documentary shows his life after being the MD on the Stephen Colbert show. He shares how his wife’s health was also impacted by a condition that they had to face together. I won’t give away the spoiler, but keep an eye peeled for it. The Prince of Jazz was also one of the honorees that received an award. He stood up from the piano after an amazing performance medley, grabbed a horn and began to get the audience to sing together and participate, which was a nice moment. His showmanship and his ability to get us to sing together was a full circle moment for him as he recalls being on the Apollo stage as a 7-year-old who traveled in a van with his brothers from New Orleans to perform and won on the same stage. The Apollo is home to him and it was a wonderful moment.
Deborah Roberts and Al Rocker were also honorees. Al Rocker is from Canarsie, Brooklyn and recalls his earlier days that led him to where he is now. Similarly, Deborah Roberts spoke about becoming a wife, and a mother, and how she always saw herself doing what she is doing now. These 2 African Americans have shared their lives, health journeys, and energy with us for so many years. The ROOT 100 did a phenomenal job by focusing on all the great achievements and sharing their criteria for how the list is made. In addition to having a social media presence and followers, other aspects such as Influence, Substance, and Reach are all calculated. The beauty of this to me as both an attendee and a writer is, that it is not exclusive to just celebrity. Any African American who can utilize social media and does the work that uplifts people can be a contender. This means we all can be great and should aspire to be like the 100 honorees. As we close out 2023, the new year provides an opportunity for any or all of us to contribute to black news by becoming solution-oriented. There is much work to be done and it’s refreshing to know that not all jobs are glamorous if you have the intent and do the work organizations like The Root will be your support.
In this space of awareness, my new perspective on myself as a writer is that it’s now my responsibility to amplify black stories and The Root 100 Gala made me both grateful and fortunate to be in attendance. Congrats to all honored.
For one legendary night, The Root—the foremost digital media publisher covering Black news and Black views—took over the mainstage of the Apollo for a star-studded evening of comedy, music, and inspiring speeches celebrating the Root 100 honorees.
The Root 100 is an annual ranking of Black Americans who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for the next generation.
Attendees included host Roy Wood Jr. (‘The Daily Show’) and honorees Al Roker (‘TODAY’), Deborah Roberts (‘20/20’), Misty Copeland (ballerina), Leslie Odom Jr. (‘Hamilton’), Nate Burleson (‘CBS Mornings’), Doug E. Fresh (rapper and nonprofit founder), Dr. Olajide Williams (nonprofit founder), Jon Batiste (multihyphenate), Fani Willis (District Attorney of Fulton County, GA), Karine Jean-Pierre (White House press secretary), DeMarco Morgan (broadcast journalist), LaChanze (multihyphenate), Abby Phillip (CNN), Melonie Parker (Google), Danyel Surrency Jones (Amazon), Brandice Daniel and (HaDaniel and Shion Row), Jamie Harrison (DNC Chair), Racquel Ode (HSBC Bank USA), Nikole Hannah- Jones (journalist/author), Adjoa B. Asamoah (influencer), Dr. Oni Blackstock (entrepreneur), and Dr. UchéBlackstock (founder and author). Also in attendance were special guests Don Lemon, Tim Malone, Hannibal Burress, Sabrina Greenlee, Jason Lee, PaperBoy The Prince, Brandee Younger, Bevy Smith, Irreversible Entanglements, Erica Lowe, Adenike Olanrewaju, Thysha Shabazz, Dr. Jasper Brewster, Dr. Jeff Gardere, Agnes Tshimbombo, Ahmed Gallab, Kristal Brent Zook, and Editor-in-Chief of The Root, Tatsha Robertson.