Celebrating 2012's The Root 100!
On Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at New York City's Tribeca Rooftop, The Root held its second annual The Root 100 Awards ceremony gala and after-party to fete our list of the most influential African Americans between the ages of 25 and 45. Click through to see who showed up and showed out!
2012 honoree Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, the national youth-vote director at Obama for America, with The Root's editor-in-chief Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and The Root's political correspondent Keli Goff.
From left: The Root's editor-in-chief Sheryl Huggins Salomon, MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux and The Root's publisher Donna Byrd.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. with Benjamin Crump, a 2012 honoree and the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, and cultural critic Touré, also a 2012 honoree.
Author, speaker and TV host Wes Moore is a 2012 honoree.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux and political analyst and commentator Jamal Simmons were the emcees for the evening.
The Root's publisher, Donna Byrd, welcomes guests.
Tara Wall, a communications entrepreneur and a strategist for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, is a 2012 honoree.
The Rev. Delman Coates, a 2012 honoree who fought for marriage equality in his home state of Maryland, with his wife, Yolanda.
Wade Davis II, a 2012 honoree and a former NFL player, made the list for his efforts to help gay athletes and youths.
The Root's managing editor, Sheryl Huggins Salomon, and deputy editor, Lauren Williams, on the red carpet.
Joel Dreyfuss, The Root's senior editor-at-large, and Cynthia Gordy, senior communications associate at the Advancement Project.
Debo P. Adegbile, a 2012 honoree, is acting president and director-counsel at the NAACP LDF.
Henry Louis Gates Jr.; The Root's political correspondent, Keli Goff; and The Root's managing editor, Sheryl Huggins Salomon, catch up.
Brett Johnson, The Root's associate editor, with Assistant Editor Akoto Ofori-Atta.
Raphael G. Warnock, a 2012 honoree, is pastor at the famous Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Two black-history scholars: Schomburg Center Director (and The Root 100 2012 honoree) Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Henry Louis Gates Jr. greet each other.
Contributing editor to The Root Harriette Cole with her husband, George Chinsee.
Revelers enjoy the sushi during cocktail hour.
The scene from above.
Tablemates Touré and Khalil Gibran Muhammad.
Honoree Benjamin Crump as dinner begins.
Jamil Smith, a producer for Melissa Harris-Perry and a The Root 100 honoree in 2011, with his wife, Jeanine.
Tara Wall was one of three 2012 honorees who gave speeches about topics that were meaningful to them.
2012 honoree Melissa Harris-Perry stands as her name is called during the awards ceremony.
2012 The Root 100 honoree Beverly Bond of Black Girls Rock stands as she is recognized during the awards ceremony.
2012 honoree Stefanie Brown, national director of the African-American vote at Obama for America, chats with Demetria L. Lucas, contributing editor to The Root.
Robin Young, Kristine Friend and The Root's Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donna Byrd.
Suzanne Malveaux and Henry Louis Gates Jr. with The Root's national sales director, Michael Clark.
Sheryl Huggins Salomon with The Root's contributing editor Edward Wyckoff Williams.
2012 honoree and digital-lifestyle expert Mario Armstrong holds up his award and a gift bag with a staffer.
Yes, we "Wobbled."