Celebs Attending 'The Root 100' Awards Show

Roy Wood Jr. will be this year’s Root 100 show host! The comedian and actor is back again as the host for the star-studded event. Woods Jr. is an Emmy-nominated documentary producer who is not only hilarious but also down to educate the public on the issues that really matter. Forbes once called him “One of comedy’s best journalists,” Entertainment Weekly has described his thought-provoking comedy as “. . . charismatic crankiness. . .” and Variety Magazine named him “One of 10 Comics to Watch in 2016.”

Don Lemon remains one of the biggest voices in television and journalism. Since leaving CNN, Lemon was able to carve out his own space on the internet for himself, launching his own series and podcast “The Don Lemon Show.” Still at the forefront of the conversation in the middle of one of the biggest election years in recent memory, Lemon has found a way to relaunch himself and continue to provide impressive and necessary journalistic work into the fold.

Media expert and activist Trell Thomas has always believed in the importance of representation and sharing stories of success — particularly within communities of color. He is the creator and host of The Black Excellence Brunch, a celebration of Black history and culture that pays tribute to the Sunday dinners he grew up having with loved ones after church. This year’s brunch was held at one of the most sought-after locations in the country – the White House South Lawn.

Singer and New Orleans native Ledisi is set to perform at this year’s Root 100 Award Show! The singer is determined to live her good life. And if you needed some convincing, look no further than her latest album “Good Life,” released in March 2024. Ledisi’s 13-track album also received positive reviews from music critics who praised her jazzy, smooth vocals as “a throwback to the classic-sounding contemporary R&B and soul.” Shortly after the album’s release, Ledisi embarked on her “Good Life Tour,” which saw her sharing her sweet sounds across 33 cities all over the country.

With memorable roles in films like “The Harder They Fall” and “Jurassic World: Dominion,” DeWanda Wise has already begun to make a name for herself in Hollywood. The 40-year-old rode into 2024 on a wave of acclaim for her work in the Starz series “Three Women,” and then terrified audiences in 2024 with the horror thriller “Imaginary,” which she both starred in and executive produced. From action, to drama, to horror, Wise’s range is amazing: she feels completely at home in every genre.

Tracy Morgan is one of the funniest men alive! The comedic legend has an impressive discography with films like “Little Man” and “Rio” under his belt. 2024 marks the ten year anniversary of the nearly fatal accident which sent Morgan into a coma. Despite the setback, the 56-year-old is still living his best life! He’s also set to star in a new Paramount+ comedy series which is a spinoff of the CBS show “The Neighborhood.”

Known for his roles in the CBS hit detective drama “Elsbeth” and known for his roles in “Suits,” and “The Wire,” Tony Award-winning actor Wendell Pierce is stamped as one of Hollywood’s greats. This year, he stirred up a bit of drama with former President Barack Obama after calling him out for “scapegoating Black men,” Pierce tweeted. “We spoke and realized we’re on the same page,” Pierce told CNN’s Abby Phillips. “It’s just a matter of messaging.”

Kecia Lewis is set to perform at this year’s Root 100 Award Show! After four decades on the stage, 2024 was a banner year for Lewis. The 59-year-old singer and actress who made her Broadway debut at age 18 in the 1981 musical “Dreamgirls,” found her way back to the stage this year, playing music teacher Miss Liza Jane in the acclaimed musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” inspired by Alicia Keys’ life growing up in New York City. Her performance won Lewis her first Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role at the 2024 awards, making her the first Black actress to win in the category since Renée Elise Goldsberry’s performance in “Hamilton” in 2016. Lewis is also preparing to star alongside Tracy Morgan in “The Neighborhood” spinoff, “Crutch” on CBS.

Bakari T. Sellers is an American attorney, political commentator, and politician known for speaking his mind and advocating for the Black community. In April of this year, Sellers released his new book called “The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now.” But that wasn’t all Sellers was up to this year. His podcast, “The Bakari Sellers Podcast,” was also nominated for a NAACP Award for Outstanding Podcast: Society and Culture. Sellers continues to rise in the political world, and now he’s getting his well-earned props.

Harriette Cole went from recovering from hamstring surgery to lighting the world on fire with her two Dreamleapers podcasts and the talk show she launched during the pandemic, “Real Conversations With AARP.” Just this year, she has interviewed firebrands including Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Don Lemon, Anthony Hamilton, and Kecia Lewis, inspiring others to leap into their dreams. The Baltimore native started her career at Essence where she ran the lifestyle and fashion departments. She writes the syndicated advice column “Sense & Sensitivity” and has been media trainer to Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Andra Day, PartyNextDoor, Shyne, and Anderson .Paak.

If you’re looking for amazing food, eight-time James Beard award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson specializes in it. Samuelsson is the chef behind restaurants like Red Rooster in Harlem, Vibe BBQ in Newark and several other restaurants globally. The author of several cookbooks, he is the youngest person to nab a three-star review from The New York Times. This year, he was named as an Official Chef Ambassador for All-Clad, a cookware brand. He also collaborated with West Elm on a collection that reflects the places he’s called home in Ethiopia, Harlem and Sweden. Samuelsson serves on the board of the New York City Harvest, a nonprofit group that focuses on feeding the hungry.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, has represented the state’s 30th Congressional District in Congress since 2023. However, 2024 turned out to be the year that made the outspoken politician a household name. In May, Crockett put far-right conspiracy theorist and congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in her place during an Oversight Committee hearing after Greene went after her “fake eyelashes.” Crockett fired back at Greene’s “bleach-blonde, bad-built butch body,” which immediately went viral prompting Crockett to trademark the phrase. From being quoted on “Saturday Night Live” to appearing on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Crockett permeated culture in 2024 in a truly unexpected way.

Laura Coates is a dynamic voice for justice who breaks down complexities of the law in a way that’s resonant for her audience. She’s an attorney and SiriusXM host by day, as well as anchor of “Laura Coates Live” and chief legal analyst on CNN by night. After practicing privately in Minnesota and New York, she became a federal prosecutor for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice during the Bush and Obama administrations. Additionally, beyond the courtroom and newsroom, she’s a bestselling author. In “Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor’s Fight for Fairness,” Coates shines a light on issues impacting the Black communities and reminds others to fight for justice in the courts.

Aldis Hodge, who won a SAG Award for “Hidden Figures, isn’t just known for film and television. He’s also a scriptwriter and producer. This year he starred in the sci-fi thriller “Parallel,” a remake of a 2020 film, which he co-wrote and stars alongside with his older brother, Edwin. Most recently, he appeared in “Marmalade.” The “Straight Outta Compton” actor was also nominated for two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting actor in the motion pictures “Black Adam,” and “One Night in Miami.”

It’s a testament to Seawright’s skills as a much-sought-after democratic political strategist and consultant that he’s carved out a national reputation as CEO of Blueprint Strategy LLC, a firm based in his Columbia, S.C., home. A former advisor on Hilliary Clinton’s 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns, he’s worked with Democratic campaign committees in S.C., Georgia, and New York and advises the Democratic National Committee. He hosts the “Insight with Antjuan Seawright,” a weekly public affairs radio show based in South Carolina, and co-host of “Hot Button Monday’s” segment on Reverend Al Sharpton’s national radio show. This year, he won numerous awards for his community work, including traveling all over the country, stopping in barbershops and churches to talk to Black men in order to understand what they were feeling prior to the election.

Nicholas Ryan Gant is set to perform at this year’s Root 100 Award Show! He is a singer and songwriter based in New York City. The Howard University graduate has been classically training for most of his life, and in 2024, he continues to use his voice and his talents to bring joy to all and educate the youth. Gant has sung with Mariah Carey and currently is a vocal coach for aspiring youth performers.

Duchesne Drew has shown exemplary leadership and excellence in the media and journalism industry for over 20 years. Previously, he merged innovation and communications as the Community Network Vice President of the Bush Foundation. Now, the Columbia University alumnus works as the Senior Vice President of the American Public Media Group and the President of Minnesota Public Radio where he leads the teams that produce MPR News, APM Reports, and the Marketplace. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the McKnight Foundation and the Board of Trustees for Columbia University.

Jotaka Eaddy, founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, is a leader in social impact and political advocacy. Leading the movement #WinWithBlackWomen, she organized a total of over 44,000 Black women for a Zoom call about championing political causes and supporting Kamala Harrs as the democratic presidential candidate. Notably, she was instrumental in a national and international lobbying campaign that led to the abolition of the juvenile death penalty with the Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling on Roper v. Simmons.

Sabrina Greenlee is a survivor in every sense of the word. In 2002, the South Carolina native was the victim of an attack with a mixture of bleach and lye that left her blind and fighting for her life. But with faith and the support of her family, she fought her way through the emotional and physical pain to raise four successful children –– including her son, NFL star DeAndre Hopkins. Today, Greenlee shares her message of strength and overcoming adversity with others through S.M.O.O.O.T.H., her non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women impacted by domestic violence. In July 2024, she released an inspiring memoir about her journey, “Grant Me Vision.”

Daytime television host and author Tamron Hall has graced screens for over 30 years on NBC News, MSNBC, and the “Today” show. Her work is critically acclaimed, and her poised energy keeps viewers coming back for more. The Texas native has received two Emmy awards, an NAACP Image Award, and other accolades. She recently released “A Confident Cook: Recipes for Joyous, No-Pressure Fun in the Kitchen” with Lish Steiling. “The Tamron Hall Show” is currently the second-longest-running Disney-produced syndicated talk show and is one of the highest-rated daytime television shows.

Keia Clarke serves as the CEO of the 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty. In this role, she leads and manages all business initiatives of the franchise. Her four-year tenure has seen the team become one of the most prominent franchises in the league: the Liberty are loaded with all-star talent on the court, boast the WNBA’s most beloved mascot in Ellie the Elephant, and have turned their home games at Barclays Center into one of the hottest tickets in New York City.

White House up-and-comer Erica Loewe is the Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Engagement. Before taking on this role, Loewe was appointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden, becoming the director of African American Media for the White House. Loewe got her degree in public relations from University of Florida in 2011, and although she is young in the White House, Loewe has worked closely with Rep. Maxine Waters and with Rep. James E. Clyburn. In 2024, she was recognized by Essence Power 40 as a key player in policymaking in the Biden-Harris administration.