Congratulations to Donna Byrd for her steadfast commitment to highlight black achievement and influence. As publisher of the TheRoot.com, she’s overseen The Root 100, a coveted honor that celebrates the leadership, service and excellence of well-heeled African Americans who possess unparalleled passion, dedication and innovative work. Since 2009, The Root 100 has recognized attorneys, activists, scientists, journalists and innovators. Past honorees have included music mogul Jay-Z, Tyler Perry, Soledad O’Brien, Shonda Rhimes, Will.i.am and others.
For the second year in a row, Byrd’s team hosted The Root 100 Award ceremony gala. Held at New York City’s Tribeca Rooftop, the fabulous fête was attended by 2012 honorees including Raphael G. Warnock, pastor of the heralded Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta; Valeisha Butterfield-Jones, the national youth-vote director at Obama for America; digital-lifestyle expert Mario Armstrong; and Tara Wall, a communications entrepreneur and a strategist for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, among others.
These 100 men and women, ages 25 to 45, are impacting the world with their creative ideas, action and service.
Byrd, an MBA graduate of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and seasoned marketer, which includes positions at Fortune 500 companies The Coca-Cola Company and Procter and Gamble, has an expertise in marketing, strategic business planning, brand development and digital innovation to lead The Root, one of the top African American-focused daily magazines on the Web that publishes intriguing commentary on today’s news.
(Photos by Seher Sikander)
