Ashley Allison Acquires The Root, Vows to Expand Black News Platform
Ashley Allison, an influential American strategist and CNN commentator, has acquired The Root, a leading online publication centered on Black news and culture. Allison, who served in the Obama White House and the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign, aims to restore the platform to its original mission and broaden its reach.
The Root was established in 2008 by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald E. Graham, with a vision to be a 21st-century national Black newspaper. It was acquired by Univision in 2015 and later sold to Great Hill Partners in 2019, leading to the formation of G/O Media. Despite G/O Media's struggles to achieve expected growth and sell off titles, The Root persisted, described by CEO Jim Spanfeller as 'a very good business' and 'a truly powerful and important voice in Black America'.
Allison, who founded Watering Hole Media last year, sees The Root as her first American acquisition. She plans to invest in video content, forge new partnerships, and create in-person experiences for the platform's readers. Her goal is to produce meaningful content, especially in a time when journalism is under attack and independent sources are sought. Gates Jr., a minority owner of The Root at its outset, praised Allison 'for returning The Root to its roots'.
The acquisition of The Root by Ashley Allison marks a significant moment for the platform and its readers. Allison's plans to invest in and expand the publication's offerings promise to fortify its voice in Black America and beyond. As the first American acquisition by Watering Hole Media, The Root's future under Allison's leadership is one to watch.
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