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THE ROOT & WATERING HOLE MEDIA expand content creation to two new YouTube original series,
“What’s Popular!” and “America Amended.”
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| NEW YORK, October 22, 2026 – As the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections, The Root, a leading digital platform covering Black news, politics, and culture, is expanding its political coverage with What’s Popular, a new original series featuring candid conversations with elected officials, political candidates, and influential voices shaping the national political landscape.
Hosted by The Root publisher and owner Ashley Allison, the series brings viewers closer to candidates through conversations about issues ranging from voting rights, economic opportunity, to education, public safety, and political representation, affecting Black communities and what candidates plan to deliver for Black voters.
Moving beyond campaign talking points, What’s Popular explores the people, policies, and perspectives shaping elections, often overlooked in mainstream coverage. |
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| What’s Popular is part of a broader investment in original political journalism under The Root owner and publisher, Allison, a CNN political commentator, former senior Obama administration official, national political strategist, also founder & CEO of Watering Hole Media. Her leadership reflects a commitment to expanding The Root’s original reporting, digital programming, and opportunities for independent Black voices.
“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,” said Allison. “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. 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.” |
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| The publication also introduced America Amended, a six-part docuseries hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee. The series explores how power, freedom, constitutional rights, and belonging shape everyday life across six American cities – Philadelphia (15th Amendment), Detroit (1st Amendment), Atlanta (2nd Amendment), Milwaukee (13th Amendment), Jackson (19th Amendment), and Houston (14th Amendment).
Together, the two series connect political reporting with the history, culture, and lived experiences of Black Americans, advancing Allison’s vision for The Root as an independent Black media company that informs audiences and fosters meaningful conversations about the issues shaping their communities and the country. |
| “I acquired The Root to build on its legacy and invest in the future of Black Media. One year later, we’re expanding original reporting, backing independent creators, and building new avenues to reach and grow our audiences. We’re growing The Root with the reach, credibility, and independence to meet this moment.” – Ashley Allison
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