It was 2017. The red carpet at the Emmys was crowded, loud, and frankly, a bit predictable. Then a reporter asked Issa Rae who she was rooting for that night. Her response was immediate, unrehearsed, and iconic: "I'm rooting for everybody Black."
People felt that.
The clip didn’t just trend; it became a permanent fixture in the cultural lexicon. But here’s the thing—rooting for everybody Black isn't just about award shows or seeing a name you recognize on a movie poster. It’s actually a pretty complex survival mechanism and a deeply rooted philosophy of collective success that dates back way before Twitter existed.
Honestly, some people hear the phrase and get uncomfortable. They think it’s exclusive or "reverse something-or-other." It’s not. It’s about balance. In a world where systemic hurdles are statistically documented, cheering for the person who had to jump the highest just makes sense. It's about equity, not just ego.
The Psychology of Collective Success
When we talk about this mindset, we’re looking at what sociologists call "linked fate." This is the idea that what happens to one member of a group affects the status of the whole group. If one Black woman breaks a glass ceiling in tech, it feels like a win for every Black girl who was told she couldn’t code. It's a shared dopamine hit.
Dr. Michael Dawson, a professor at the University of Chicago, has written extensively about this. His research suggests that for many Black Americans, individual identity is inextricably tied to the well-being of the community. So, rooting for everybody Black is basically an act of communal self-care.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Blue White Table Runner is the Only Decor Choice That Actually Works
It's about the "Firsts." Being the first Black person to do anything is exhausting. You carry the weight of a whole demographic on your shoulders. If you mess up, the critics don't just say "John failed"; they say "See, this is why we don't hire them." Rooting for that person is a way of saying, we see the weight you're carrying, and we're holding you up.
It’s Not About Blind Support
Let’s get real for a second. There’s a common misconception that rooting for everybody Black means you have to support every single person regardless of what they do. That’s just not true. You can root for the success and humanity of a group without endorsing every individual’s specific actions.
Complexity matters.
We see this play out in real-time on social media. People will champion a Black-owned business because they want to see it thrive, but they’ll still leave a 1-star review if the shipping takes three months. The goal is excellence, not a free pass. The "rooting" part is about wanting the doors to stay open so that excellence has a place to live.
The Economic Reality of the Rooting Interest
If you look at the numbers, this isn't just "vibes." It’s economics.
The racial wealth gap is a documented, persistent chasm. According to data from the Federal Reserve, the typical White family has eight times the wealth of the typical Black family. When people talk about rooting for everybody Black in a business context, they are talking about intentional spending to close that gap.
- Buy Black movements aren't just hashtags; they are attempts to keep a dollar circulating within the community for longer than six hours (which is the current, dismal average in some urban centers).
- Support for HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) has surged because people realize these institutions produce a disproportionate amount of Black doctors, lawyers, and engineers despite having smaller endowments.
- Venture Capital is another front. Black founders historically receive less than 1% of total VC funding. Rooting here looks like diversifying investment portfolios.
It's about creating an ecosystem where "making it" isn't a fluke or a one-in-a-million story.
💡 You might also like: Wait, What Exactly Is Board in Room and Board? Let’s Clear This Up
Why This Still Matters in 2026
You might think we’d be "past this" by now. We aren't.
Representation is still a battleground. Look at the "Great Resignation" or the shifting landscape of corporate diversity programs. Recently, many companies have started quietly scaling back their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) budgets. When the institutional support fades, the community support has to ramp up.
That’s why you see people getting so hyped about a Black lead in a sci-fi show or a Black quarterback winning the Super Bowl. It’s a signal. It tells the world that the "norm" is changing.
Beyond the Viral Moments
The phrase has been commodified, sure. You can buy the t-shirts at Target now. But the spirit of the movement is found in the quiet moments.
It’s the older man nodding at the young guy in a suit. It’s the "Black girl magic" shared in a corporate bathroom between two strangers who are the only ones in the office. It’s the intentionality behind choosing a Black CPA or a Black therapist.
It is a recognition of shared history and a hope for a shared future.
How to Actually Show Up
If you want to move beyond the slogan and into actual practice, it requires more than a retweet. It’s about where you put your energy and your resources.
- Audit your consumption. Look at your bookshelf, your playlist, and your pantry. Is there room for more diverse voices? Not because of a quota, but because you're missing out on quality if you only look in one direction.
- Advocate in rooms where they aren't present. If you’re at a table and everyone looks like you, ask why. Rooting for someone means opening the door and pulling up a chair for them before they even get to the room.
- Normalize Black joy. Rooting isn't just about supporting people through struggle. It's about celebrating the wins, the art, the laughter, and the mundane everyday life.
- Be okay with nuance. You can support the movement while holding individuals accountable. That’s what high-level support actually looks like.
The beauty of rooting for everybody Black is that it doesn't take anything away from anyone else. It’s not a zero-sum game. When a marginalized group gains ground, the path gets wider for everyone. It’s about building a world where success isn't an anomaly based on race, but a standard based on opportunity.
Actionable Steps for the Long Haul
Stop looking for the "main character" and start looking at the community. Invest in Black-owned banks or credit unions to help provide capital for neighborhood loans. Mentor a young professional who doesn't have the same "old boys' club" network to lean on. Be the person who mentions their name when a promotion comes up. Real rooting is active, not passive. It’s a verb. It requires work, but the payoff—a more equitable and vibrant society—is worth every bit of the effort.