The Root, the pioneering digital publication created to deliver unflinching analysis of issues in the Black community, is officially back under Black ownership for the first time in years.
Ashley Allison, a Democratic political strategist, CNN commentator, and former Obama White House official, announced she has acquired The Root through Watering Hole Media, a social impact media company she launched in 2024.
“Owning the power to tell our own stories is a rich tradition The Root is committed to upholding,” Allison said. She added that her focus will be on investing in video, forging partnerships with experts, and creating in-person activations to deepen reader engagement.
A Return to Its Founding Vision
The Root was founded in 2008 by Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and former Washington Post chairman Donald Graham, who envisioned the site as a 21st-century version of a national Black newspaper.
It has since changed hands multiple times, first acquired by Univision in 2015 and later by G/O Media in 2019. While G/O Media sold off most of its portfolio, The Root remained the last title under its umbrella until Allison’s purchase.
Gates praised Allison “for returning The Root to its roots,” calling the acquisition a historic moment that aligns with the site’s original mission of preserving culture and amplifying Black voices.
Ashley Allison’s Path to Ownership
Allison brings years of political and media experience to her new role. In addition to her work as a CNN commentator, she served as national coalitions director for the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign and worked as an official in the Obama administration.
She described the acquisition as deeply significant at a time when journalism faces increasing pressures.
“This isn’t about making more content but about making meaning of this moment, when journalism is under attack and audiences are seeking independent sources for news,” Allison said.
Looking Ahead
Under Allison’s leadership, The Root will expand beyond its editorial voice to embrace video storytelling, strategic collaborations, and live reader experiences, while remaining committed to its role as a powerful and unapologetic voice for Black America.
The acquisition makes The Root one of the few major Black-owned digital publications operating at scale today.
