The Breakfast Club INTERVIEW: Ashley Allison On Acquiring 'The Root', Cultural Impact, The Root 100 List + More
Nov 6, 2025
Ashley Allison, a media entrepreneur and new publisher of The Root, discusses her recent acquisition and plans to relaunch the platform. She emphasizes the importance of Black-owned storytelling and the urgent need to preserve Black media spaces amidst industry challenges. The conversation dives into her vision for The Root 100 list, now celebrating collective achievement without rankings, and how it aims to inspire and uplift diverse Black voices. Ashley shares her commitment to restoring credibility, expanding multimedia coverage, and addressing past criticisms while navigating the monetization landscape.
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Acquisition Felt Like A Personal Assignment
- Ashley Allison describes spotting The Root as her "assignment" and hustling to acquire it with her team.
- She frames the acquisition as reclaiming a Black-owned platform to tell unapologetic Black stories.
Ownership Demands Responsibility And Courage
- Allison says Black stories are American stories and deserve ownership and diverse perspectives.
- She acknowledges responsibility to maintain standards while accepting inevitable backlash as owner.
Past Coverage Frustrations Acknowledged
- Charlamagne recounts past frustration when The Root declined a positive story about him and Nick Cannon.
- Allison responds that the site is under new leadership and signals a fresh start.