The Root 100 2012 List: Black Influencers to Know

The Root 100 2012 List: Black Influencers to Know: One core mission of The Root is to reveal and recognize African Americans who are breaking ground, raising the bar and effecting meaningful change in the world. We do that in many ways throughout the year, but our signature means of recognizing our community's best and brightest, since 2009, is through The Root 100 annual list of black achievers and influencers, ages 25-45. The Root 100 honorees not only excel in their fields but also are people who use their influence to shape the world and make it a better place. Otherwise, what is all that influence really good for?

It's in that spirit that we reveal our top-ranked honoree for 2012: scholar, author and MSNBC television-show host Melissa Harris-Perry. "For me, success is when I'm making a contribution and fully engaging all of my talents," Harris-Perry once said. Evidence of that success over the past year is clear in how the Tulane University political science professor has handled the national platform that came with her new MSNBC news show, Melissa Harris-Perry. She has used it not only to air the typical hot-button issues that feed the cable-news beast, like the latest politician's gaffe, but also to discuss the tough topics that many would rather not face, like felon voter rights, anti-Muslim bigotry and the way the poor are being ignored and vilified in politics.