WASHINGTON - The Root has announced its first-ever edition of The Root's Young Futurists, an exclusive list that spotlights 25 outstanding individuals, ages 16-21, whose active ambition to change the world leaves them poised to become the African-American innovators of tomorrow. The Root's 2011 Young Futurist list is sponsored exclusively by AT&T and will be featured throughout Black History Month.

Honorees for the inaugural Young Futurist list were selected by The Root's staffers who narrowed down hundreds of suggestions from schools, universities, national sororities, fraternities and civil rights groups into a list of 25 exceptional young leaders.

"The Root's Young Futurist list is an exciting indicator that the next generation of African-Americans is full of talent and dedicated to innovation," said Joel Dreyfuss, managing editor of The Root. "These inspiring youth are worthy of great praise and admiration, and we're excited to have this opportunity to introduce them to the wider public."

The Root's 2011 Young Futurists represent young leaders within the green movement, science and technology, social justice, business and the arts.

One Young Futurist will be highlighted each day throughout the month of February, to coincide with Black History Month. 

About The Root
Launched in 2008, The Root is the must-read news site for the post-Civil Rights Generation. The Root helps readers stay in-the-know and understand the most important news and trends affecting the black community. Providing readers with original, provocative commentary and analysis on politics, social issues and culture from a variety of perspectives, The Root also highlights the most important articles and commentary from around the Web.

TheRoot.com is owned by The Slate Group, an online publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post Company.