Kasim Reed makes top 10 of ‘Root 100′ list of notable African-Americans

By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mayor Kasim Reed joins such notables as singer Beyonce, NAACP CEO Benjamin Jealous and hip-hop artist Will.i.am on the Root 100 list – an annual compilation of the 100 “Most Influential African-Americans Under 45” released Wednesday.

Enlarge photo

Raymond Hagans, Special Mayor Kasim Reed and Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson congratulated Dr. Joseph Lowery at his 90th birthday at the Woodruff Arts Center on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011.

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“The Root 100 identifies African-American influencers 45 and under who shape our daily conversations with work that matters,” the website, which describes itself as the No. 1 site for online news and commentary from an African-American perspective, said in a news release.

It ranked Reed as the 10th most influential personality of the 100 honorees. Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker ranked first; Atlanta entertainment mogul Tyler Perry, second; and CNN personalities Soledad O’Brien and Don Lemon, 5th and 6th, respectively.

“Since his 2010 inauguration, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has attracted local, state and national attention for doing many things well,” Root said on its website.

“Among other achievements, the Howard University graduate and ex-campaign manager for former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin hired 200 additional police officers and convinced Porsche to stay in the Atlanta metro area," Root said.

“In addition, Reed has proved to be a key advocate for the Obama administration and is looked to as a means of swinging votes in 2012.”

Other elected officials joining Reed on the Root list were Steven Horsford, majority leader of the Nevada Senate, and Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, Calif, and former NBA star.

More than 500 people were nominated this year for the award, Root said. The 2011 winners will be honored at an awards reception Nov. 5 in Washington, D.C.

The Root is owned by the Washington Post Co.