October 2, 2025
Allison’s acquisition marks the publication’s return to Black possession after greater than a decade.
Ashley Allison, a CNN commentator and Democratic strategist, has acquired the digital media outlet The Root. Allison’s acquisition marks the publication’s return to Black possession after greater than a decade.
Allison, via her firm Watering Gap Media, bought The Root and plans to shift the platform towards extra immersive and video-based experiences. In outlining her imaginative and prescient for the outlet’s future, Allison mentioned she is going to spend money on new video content material, construct partnerships with topic specialists, and launch in-person occasions to deepen viewers engagement.
On Oct. 2, The Root launched a press release saying the brand new possession and future imaginative and prescient. Allison, a former staffer for President Obama, want to create a trusted area for high quality Black journalism.
“It’s time to face in braveness, to be unapologetic about who we’re as Black folks, the position now we have performed on this nation, and the position we’ll proceed to play. The Root is just not going to shrink back from the onerous tales, the onerous questions, and the onerous solutions,” mentioned Allison. “We shall be a spot that tells the reality, helps make sense of the second, and guides folks to assets that assist them make the very best selections doable.”
The Root was based in 2008 by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald Graham as a platform targeted on Black tradition, politics, and social commentary. Over time, it handed via possession to Univision after which to G/O Media. G/O Media managed The Root alongside digital properties like The Onion and Kotaku. The Root grew to become the final remaining G/O Media website as its mother or father firm offered off different holdings. Gates spoke to The Root in regards to the platform’s latest proprietor and expressed deep delight and pleasure on the change of fingers.
“I’m so very pleased with Ashley Allison for main The Root into its subsequent thrilling chapter, and for returning The Root to its roots,” mentioned Professor Gates. “When Donald and I launched The Root, my imaginative and prescient was to create a platform to showcase the complete complexity of Black life with depth, intelligence, and, most significantly, unapologetic honesty. A platform the place our historical past, our tradition, and our politics weren’t solely centered however elevated.”
Allison is making an attempt not solely to dwell as much as Gate’s imaginative and prescient but in addition to broaden that imaginative and prescient into one among her personal making.
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