The Root 100 returned bigger and better than ever on Thursday evening. Once again taking over the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, the brightest stars descended upon the iconic space to celebrate the year’s most influential Black Americans in music, politics, sports, activism, and more. Here are the best moments from the iconic evening.
After a powerful performance from Nicholas Ryan Grant, the evening kicked off with opening remarks from one of the show’s hosts, Roy Wood Jr. In classic Roy Wood Jr.-fashion, he got the crowd roaring with laughter while also emphasizing the importance of a night like the Root 100. Promising to have a “good-ass” time on the stage, Wood Jr. shouted out some of the big honorees of the evening, while also giving love to Vice President Kamala Harris. “If there is anybody who has earned a rest, it is the number one person on The Root 100 list Vice President Kamala Harris,” he said. “Black people did everything. I know the election didn’t go the way that a lot of us wanted the election to go, but we’re still gonna be here and we’re gonna fight ... because some of us can’t afford to leave the country.”
“She’s Gotta Have It” and “Three Women” star DeWanda Wise took to the Apollo stage to accept her flowers at The Root 100. She offered an inspiring speech to the audience, emphasizing just how important this moment feels for her, while also shouting out her special connection to another The Root 100 honoree, Wendell Pierce.
“Something that becomes essential is having those touchstones of encouragement to let you know that you are on your divine path,” she shared through tears while accepting her award. “And that is how this feels for me.”
The beloved celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality was also in attendance at The Root 100, gracing the Apollon stage after DeWanda Wise to accept his award. Speaking to the power and influence of Harlem and The Apollo Theater, he explained that “what happens here in Harlem and at The Apollo really transcends globally.” He added, “When I go back to the hut that I was born in Ethiopia and think about that I’ve arrived here at The Apollo tonight to be a part of The Root 100 list ... it’s really incredible.”
Andra Day brought a surprise mini-concert to The Apollo. Accepted her award, the singer and actress addressed the audience and called the moment “surreal.” She added, “God is amazing and I just was reminded that when you do things on purpose and when you do things intentionally ... it will always bless you and bless whatever it’s meant to touch.” Day then went into a riveting medley of songs, singing everything from her newer album cuts, a Billie Holiday track and her hit “Rise Up,” she had the entire Apollo crowd cheering.
Don Lemon hit the stage after Andra Day, accepting his award as one of The Root 100 honorees of the year. In a rousing moment, he urged everyone to continue the fight after last month’s election results, saying that we can be “disappointed” but we should not be “sad.” He added, “Don’t worry, be happy. We’re going to be okay.”
Lemon then quoted literary icon James Baldwin, saying we come from, “men who picked cotton and dammed rivers and built railroads, and in the teeth of the most terrifying odds, achieved and unassailable and monumental dignity.”
“Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star took to the stage to present the next award to Tony Award-winner Kecia Lewis. Morgan, who presented the award, teased an upcoming series set to star both of the actors on Paramount+, while also shedding light on their close bond.
“Not only is she a great actress, she’s a mother, a teacher and a singer,” Morgan gushed when discussing his friend. “That’s my girl, I love her.” The two are set to star in “Crutch,” a comedy set in Harlem coming out next year.
Kecia Lewis then walked onto the Apollo stage, accepting her award from her friend Tracy Morgan. She gave an impassioned speech before diving into one of her signature songs in the musical Hell’s Kitchen, which she currently stars in on Broadway. Lewis spoke of her journey in theater, from her beginnings as the youngest Effie in Dreamgirls on Broadway, to winning a Tony 40 years later for her current role. She then performed her hit song from the Alicia Keys musical, as well as a moving medley grounded in the theme of gratitude.
Acclaimed actor Wendell Pierce gave, honored the history of Black Americans in this country and enslaved people who fought for many of the rights we have today. In one of the most powerful moments of the evening, he told the crowd, “We lost an election, but we did not lose our purpose.” He also spoke to the purpose and call to action he feels as an artist, saying to everyone in the room, “We have to give voice to the voiceless, and that is the role of the artist.”
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett had the audience cheering with her speech, which detailed the resilience of Black people in this country throughout history and all the way up to today. “Often imitated, never duplicated, we are the culture,” she declared, inspiring the crowd after the disappointing election results. “We may get knocked down nine times, but we will get up ten.”
Actor Aldis Hodge spoke of conquering fear and resilience, accepting his award with immense gratitude and emotion. With his brother Edwin Hodge by his side, he got the crowd cheering as he declared his love of Blackness and Black people. “Let’s not forget the power that we have in each other and let’s not forget to recognize the brilliance in one another,” he explained, insisting on the importance of community.
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter took to the stage at the end of the night with an unforgettable performance. Recalling memories of her early career, sound advice her mother would give her and writing songs in her bedroom, Ledisi brought the house down and sent the crowd off with her hits “Alright” and “Pieces of Me.”
