Event Happened: The Root Institute 2023

The Root Institute

The Blueprint for a Better Black America

The Root Institute 2023

I have been a long time supporter of The Root. It has been one of my favorite publications and I’m a huge fan of the work they do and the stories they tell. For those still unfamiliar, The Root is an African American online magazine. It was launched on January 28, 2008, by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald E. Graham. Many moons ago I worked with The Root on an event in Martha’s Vineyard and I’ve been a supporter ever since. When they launched The Institute last year, the line up was beyond impressive. I was super sad I missed Ava DuVerney but we shall meet again. I especially love that they hosted it this year at Howard giving the students access to what they created. Howard is such an incredible institution so this collaboration makes complete sense. There were so many incredible thought leaders who came and shared their expertise. I’ve also realized that I am a perpetual student who LOVES learning. Basically I’m a nerd. Conferences, Festivals and Institutes are my continued education! So I love when publications use their influence to bring in incredible line ups to share their knowledge. So what did you miss??

Event details:

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.

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, 2023
10 am to 5 pm ET
Armour J. Blackburn University Center at Howard University
2397 6th St NW, Washington, DC
General admission tickets | $5
Student admission tickets | free
Presented by Amazon Black Business Accelerator
With support from Google and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

The Agenda:

10:15a – 10:35a EST – How HBCUs Can Be a Beacon of Hope: The Supreme Court’s slashing of affirmative action is just one example of how Black culture and progress is being attacked, but HBCU leaders are finding ways to move forward during this dark moment.

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

10:40a – 11:05a EST – AI and the Future of Black America: If most AI creators are white men, who will assure AI is not unintentionally biased to Black Americans? Panelists will discuss how researchers and creators are trying to ensure AI is Black-friendly.

Mutale Nkonde – Founding CEO of AI for the People

Gbolahan Olanubi

Senior UX Researcher at Google

Jamila Smith-Loud – Research Manager of Google’s Responsible AI

11:10a – 11:35a EST – Inside Hollywood’s Backstory: Legendary television producer, author, and consulting writer/producer for MAX’s And Just Like That discusses Hollywood’s Black story and how our favorite Black characters evolve in the writer’s room.

Susan Fales-Hill – Consulting producer/writer of Max’s “And Just Like That”

11:40a – 12:35p EST – Tackling the Black Maternal Health Crisis: This panel will tackle the accelerating Black maternal morbidity and mortality crisis, the impact of COVID-19, how abortion bans fuel that crisis, racism and income inequality, and most importantly, where we go from here. Each panelist will bring their unique perspective on how we can get to a place where Black pregnant people can feel safe in this country.

Dr. Uché Blackstock – Author and Founding CEO of Advancing Health Equity

Dr. Joia Crear-Perry – Founder and Director of the National Birth Equity Collaborative

Myechia Minter-Jordan – CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Oriaku Njoku – Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds

12:50p – 01:10p EST – A Fireside Chat With Don Lemon: The Root editor-in-chief Tatsha Robertson will catch up with veteran journalist Don Lemon to discuss the media, Black men, and his new life.

Don Lemon – Writer, TV journalist, and former anchor of CNN primetime program “Don Lemon Tonight”

01:15p – 01:40p EST – The Future of Democracy: Many young people think democracy is a given, but is it?

Dr. David J. Johns – Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition

01:45p – 02:05p EST – The DNC Speaks to The Root: The Root Institute hosts an exciting conversation with Democratic National Committee chairperson Jaime Harrison. We’ll talk about what Democrats are doing to engage Black voters, particularly Black male voters, this election cycle. We’ll also get into Democrats’ plans to address the concerns of low-income Americans and whether they can live up to the promise of Biden-economics.

Jaime Harrison – Chair of Democratic National Committee

02:10p – 02:35p EST – The Plight of Black Women: We see it all over the news: Black successful women are targeted in the workforce, at home, and on the political front. Our esteemed panel will explore this hot topic and why is it that Black women are always placed on the hot seat.

Keisha Lance Bottoms – Former Mayor of Atlanta

Orlena Nwokah Blanchard – Managing Partner at Seven Elements Group and co-creator of the CROWN Act Movement

Melonie Parker – Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Google

02:40p – 03:05p EST – The Power of the Young Black Vote: This panel of DC insiders will discuss the strength of the young vote, especially the powerful Black male vote, which experts say is being targeted by everyone from Trump, the Republican party, the dark web, Russians, and everyone in between.

Stephen Benjamin – Senior Advisor to President Biden

Jotaka Eaddy – Founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies

Antjuan Seawright – CEO of Blueprint Strategy

03:10p – 03:40p EST – Bravo Stars Meet The Root: These powerful Black women will explain how they successfully use their shows to promote entrepreneurial female empowerment.

Venita Aspen – Star of Bravo’s “Southern Charm”

Cynthia Bailey – Alum of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”

Candiace Dillard-Bassett – Star of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Potomac”

Jordan Emanuel – Star of Bravo’s “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard”

Dr. Wendy Osefo – Star of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Potomac”

03:45p – 04:10p EST – Leveraging Your Niche and Accelerating Your Brand: A Shark Tank casting agent, an Amazon influencer, and an author are turning their respective niches into empires. This panel will show a different side of entrepreneurship and economic equity.

Brandon Andrews – Casting Consultant for “Shark Tank” and Cofounder of Gauge

Nneka Kanu – Attorney and style influencer Queen of Sleeves

Denene Millner – Author, podcaster, and radio host

Danyel Surrency Jones – Head of Amazon Black Business Accelerator

04:15p – 04:35p EST – The Evolution of Success: Chef Carla Hall will use stories from the evolution of her personal and professional life to instill lessons she’s learned along the way, from overcoming fear to building confidence and learning the importance of risk-taking. Hall will supply us with the tools that we need to build a better Black America.

Carla Hall – TV personality, chef, and author

04:40p – 05:00p EST – The Role of the Media in Black America: In an era of misinformation and miseducation, what role does the media play for Black folk in the coming election and beyond?

Bakari Sellers – Former State Representative of South Carolina

Where to find these Rockstar Speakers:

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