The Root is asking political candidates what they plan to deliver for Black communities.
The digital platform recently launched What’s Popular, a new interview series hosted by the outlet’s owner and publisher Ashley Allison.
The series features conversations with elected officials, candidates and political voices about voting rights, economic opportunity, education, public safety and representation.
According to the outlet, the goal is to explore issues affecting Black communities that often get overlooked in mainstream election coverage.
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Guests include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic candidate for Georgia governor; Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed; state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor; and James Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate in Texas.
“Black communities have always played a critical role in shaping the political direction of this country, yet too often, the issues that matter most to us are reduced to campaign talking points,” Allison said in a statement to Urban Hollywood 411.
She added, “With What’s Popular, we’re creating space for deeper conversations with the people running for office who will make the decisions influencing public policy.”
The launch comes as the left-leaning outlet expands its original digital programming under Allison, a CNN political commentator, former senior Obama administration official and national political strategist. She is also founder and CEO of Watering Hole Media.
“We want our audiences to hear directly from these voices, ask important questions, and better understand what’s at stake, not just during election season, but long after the votes are counted,” she said.
Viewers can watch recent episodes of What’s Popular on The Root’s YouTube channel.
The platform also recently introduced America Amended, a six-part docuseries hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee.
The series explores how power, freedom, constitutional rights affect Black residents in six cities — Philadelphia (15th Amendment), Detroit (1st Amendment), Atlanta (2nd Amendment), Milwaukee (13th Amendment), Jackson (19th Amendment), and Houston (14th Amendment).
The Root has stepped up its original offerings since returning to Black ownership in 2025.
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