For the second year in a row, Washington DC will serve as the illustrious backdrop for The Root Institute in September. This time, The Root newsroom will team up with Howard University to host our yearly symposium known for bringing together America’s greatest Black minds, from Stacey Abrams and Misty Copeland to Ava DuVernay and Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.
Taking place at one of the country’s most prestigious HBCUs, our team of editors and writers will share the stage with Black luminaries from every corner of the nation as we focus on the state of Black America and devise a blueprint for an even better one.
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Leaders from the worlds of activism, public service, culture, and academia will come together at the Howard’s Armour J. Blackburn University Center for a full day of thought-provoking panels and lectures, exploring arts, business, advocacy, and legislation.
Wednesday, September 20, 202310 am to 5 pm ETArmour J. Blackburn University Center at Howard University2397 6th St NW, Washington, DCGeneral admission tickets | $5Student admission tickets | freePresented by Amazon Black Business AcceleratorWith support from Google and CareQuest Institute for Oral HealthAdditional speakers and sessions will be added to the agenda ahead of September 20.
Venita Aspen, star of Bravo’s Southern Charm and fashion influencer
David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition
Reecie Colbert, host of The Reecie Colbert Show on Sirius XM Urban View
Dr. Uché Blackstock, author and founding CEO of Advancing Health Equity
Susan Fales-Hill, author, trustee of the American Ballet Theatre, and consulting producer/writer of Max’s And Just Like That
Don Lemon, award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and former anchor of the long-running CNN primetime program Don Lemon Tonight
Candiace Dillard-Bassett, singer/songwriter behind 2021 album Deep Space, actress, former Miss United States, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac
Carla Hall, television host, chef, author, and creator of Sweet Heritage by Carla Hall
Bakari Sellers, attorney, former state representative of South Carolina, and CNN political commentator
Nneka Kanu, attorney and fashion and lifestyle influencer Queen of Sleeves
Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative
Stephen Benjamin, Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President, and Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Jamila Smith-Loud, Research Manager of Responsible AI at Google
Brandon Andrews, Casting Consultant for Shark Tank, Cofounder of Gauge, an AI-driven market research platform, and chairman of the DC Commission on National and Community Service
Oriaku Njoku, Executive Director of National Network of Abortion Funds
Antjuan Seawright, Founder and CEO of Blueprint Strategy, a public relations and political consulting firm, and CBS News political contributor
Denene Millner, New York Times-bestselling author and host of A Seat at the Table talk show and Speakeasy with Denene podcast
Gbolahan (Femi) Olanubi, Senior UX Researcher at Google
Dr. Wendy Osefo, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education, founder and CEO of the 1954 Equity Project, author, progressive political commentator, award-winning researcher, and star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac
Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Mayor of Atlanta 2018-2022
Jotaka L. Eaddy, Founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, LLC, a social impact-focused consulting firm, founder of the #WinWithBlackWomen movement, and former Senior Director for Voting Rights for the NAACP
Jordan Emanuel, star of Bravo’s Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard, former Miss Black New York, podcast host of Amplified, and co-founder of Women With Voices
Jaime Harrison, Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Mutale Nkonde, founding CEO of AI For the People
Cynthia Bailey, model, actor, entrepreneur, women’s health advocate, television personality, alum of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta
Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, Managing Partner of Seven Elements Group
Melonie Parker, Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Google
Lisa Crooms-Robinson, Interim Dean of the School of Law at Howard University
Jacqueline Jones, Dean of the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University
Danyel Surrency Jones, Head of Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator and Founder and CEO of Powerhandz
Dr. Greg Carr, Associate Professor of Afro-American Studies at Howard University and Adjunct Professor at Howard School of Law
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