The Root Returns to Black Ownership: A Triumph for Black Media and Family Storytelling

Alright, folks, gather ’round. I’ve got some news that’s juicier than Auntie’s Sunday greens and spicier than your uncle’s BBQ sauce on a summer cookout. Cue dramatic pause — The Root, that iconic Black news and culture hub, has come all the way home, back to Black ownership. Yessir, after years caught in the corporate carousel (who knew media ownership could feel like a game of musical chairs with less fun and more confusion?), the return marks a cultural milestone.

This isn’t just a business transaction; it’s a full-on cultural vibe check that proudly states: “We’re taking our stories back.” Imagine Grandma in the kitchen stirring that pot of history, Daddy sharing family tales at the dinner table, kids soaking up every word—finally, there’s a media space that authentically honors that legacy.

The Journey of The Root: From Harvard Roots to Corporate Stopovers

Picture it: 2008, when Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. teamed up with publisher Donald E. Graham to create The Root — a bold digital magazine dissecting race, justice, and everything Black communities felt needed telling. It was like the podcast you wished you had at dinner but delivered in compelling text.

Fast-forward through a series of ownership changes that left many wondering, “Wait, who’s steering this ship now?” Univision, then G/O Media, took the helm, but with each transition, The Root’s editorial soul seemed to drift farther from home—like introducing a new relative who just doesn’t get the family jokes. The authentic Black experience risked getting lost.

Enter Ashley Allison—a former Obama White House communications expert and CNN commentator, with a vision sharper than your auntie’s Sunday roast knife—who purchased The Root in 2025. Her company, Watering Hole Media, sealed the deal: The Root is back in Black hands. Mic drop.

Why Black Ownership Is More Than a Buzzword—It’s Empowerment

Let’s keep it real: when Black people own the microphone, the stories become unlike any others. Ownership holds the power, and power in media translates into:

• Stories that breathe Black life: Editors and publishers who understand inside jokes, the pain behind memes, and the joy at family reunions.
• A diverse spectrum of Blackness: From Brooklyn boardrooms to barber shops in Birmingham, coverage broadens significantly.
• Investing back into communities: Dollars flow into Black jobs, businesses, and neighborhoods — not evaporating into sprawling conglomerate bank accounts.
• Trust regained: Like trusting your cousin over a stranger at the block party, audiences feel a stronger connection.

Given that Black families are among the most tuned-in news consumers and mainstream outlets often miss the mark, returning The Root to Black ownership is simply chef’s kiss perfection.

The Financial Reality: Reviving Black-Owned Media

Black-owned media has long been navigating an uphill climb, often without GPS—dodging obstacles like limited capital, dwindling advertising dollars, and competing with media giants so massive they might as well be Godzilla compared to a garden gnome.

Ashley Allison’s strategy is more than a rescue mission; it’s a renaissance:

• Innovative content formats: Expect video, live events, and interactive storytelling to engage younger and curious audiences.
• Collaborative networks: Partnerships with Black creators and experts to keep content fresh and genuine.
• Business acumen: Blending passion with savvy strategies — because love alone won’t pay the Wi-Fi bill.

For anyone doubting the mix of culture and commerce, Ashley Allison is proving it’s not just doable—it’s absolutely necessary.

Black Family Storytelling: The Root’s Soulful Heartbeat

Here’s a message to grandparents, parents, and future elders in the living room: Under Ashley’s leadership, The Root is shining a spotlight on your stories.

Why does this matter? Because authentic family narratives serve as:

• Archives of our lives: Real history, not just dates on a wall.
• Weapons against stereotypes: Offering depth, love, struggle, and triumph, instead of tired negative tropes.
• Community glue: Knowing you’re not alone transforms strangers into family.
• Fuel for the next generation: When children see their stories celebrated, they grow roots and wings.

This is not just journalism; it’s cultural preservation delivered with a mic drop.

What It Means for Black Families and Media Consumers Everywhere

You might be asking, “That’s powerful, but what does it mean for me and my Sunday dinner crew?” Here’s your takeaway:

• Content that resonates: Honest discussions on education, health, social justice, and culture that genuinely hit home.
• Real engagement: Events, conversations, and interactive platforms where you’re not just a reader—you’re family.
• Sustainable momentum: A shining example that Black media can thrive independently of corporate giants.
• Inspiration for entrepreneurs: A rallying call to Black business owners to invest in our stories.

For those of us who hold families down and strengthen communities, this moment is one of respect, reflection, and celebration.

Four Shades of Reality: The Bigger Picture of Black Media Ownership

This moment marks more than just a press release; it’s a cultural reboot. The Root’s homecoming exemplifies the power of Black narratives leading instead of following. Ownership influences everything—from headlines and hiring to community connections and economic empowerment.

Ashley Allison’s acquisition stands as a blueprint—a green light signaling to Black media entrepreneurs everywhere: “This is OUR story, OUR money, OUR power.” Isn’t that the storytelling we deserve?

The Final Word (For Now)

The next time you click, read, or share a piece from The Root, remember—it’s more than news. It’s a family album, a history book, and a call to celebrate and safeguard our culture. Ashley Allison’s vision lights a path for Black media that feels as warm as Sunday dinner and as deep as our roots.

Reader’s Action Plan: Because We Don’t Just Talk—we Do

• Immerse yourself in The Root’s new vibe: Visit their website, watch videos, attend events, and tune into that community heartbeat.
• Support Black media like your life depends on it: Subscribe, share links, donate, and keep the circle strong.
• Tell your story: Encourage elders to share; document family histories; share memories missing mainstream platforms.
• Keep learning: Follow Black media scholars and advocates explaining why ownership matters so deeply.

We’re not merely consuming stories—we’re preserving a legacy. With The Root’s return to Black ownership, that legacy shines brighter than ever.

References, because facts matter (and yes, you will be quizzed):

1. Face2Face Africa, “Ashley Allison: Meet the former Obama advisor acquiring ‘The Root’ to return it to Black ownership” (2025)
2. Black Girl PR, “The Root Is Officially Black-Owned” (2025)
3. Black Enterprise, “The Root Has Made Its Way Back To Black Ownership” (2025)
4. AfroTech, “Democratic Political Strategist Ashley Allison Acquires The Root Restoring Its Black Ownership” (2025)

Embracing Black stories means living the fullness of Black life—past, present, and future. And with The Root’s new chapter, that future looks bright. ✊🏿