Company Profile

Company Description:

The Root is a pioneering Black news and culture online publication that has played a defining role in shaping contemporary conversations about race, identity and power in America. Founded in 2008 as a partnership between Henry Louis Gates Jr. and The Washington Post Company, the publication was created to bring rigorous reporting, sharp commentary and historical context to issues affecting Black communities—often from perspectives underrepresented in mainstream media. Over time, The Root evolved into a distinctive editorial voice, blending journalism, cultural criticism and humor while elevating Black writers and thinkers across politics, entertainment and other areas. The Root’s work has consistently advanced our national dialogue, challenging dominant narratives and serving as a vital platform for nuanced, unapologetically Black storytelling.