Ashley Allison is a political strategist, media entrepreneur, and CNN commentator known for her work in the Obama-Biden administration and the Biden-Harris campaign. She gained widespread recognition in October 2025 when her company, Watering Hole Media, acquired The Root, returning the influential Black digital media outlet to Black ownership. The Youngstown, Ohio native has built a career spanning political campaigns, civil rights advocacy, and media entrepreneurship over more than 15 years.
Ashley Allison Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Ashley R. Allison |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | July 27, 1982 |
| Age | 43 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Youngstown, Ohio, United States |
| Current residence | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | None (has a pet dog named ZZ) |
| Education | The Ohio State University (BA), Long Island University (Master of Education), Brooklyn Law School (JD) |
| Profession | Political strategist, media entrepreneur, CNN commentator, author, yoga instructor |
| Net worth | Estimated $7 million |
Who is Ashley Allison?
Ashley Allison is a political strategist and media entrepreneur who has made her mark in American politics and civil rights advocacy. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, she attended Ursuline High School before pursuing higher education.
She earned her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 2005, where she was initiated into the Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Spring 2003.
Following her bachelor’s degree, Allison earned a Master of Education from Long Island University in 2007 and later graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 2011 with a Juris Doctorate specializing in public interest law, focusing on housing rights, voting, democracy, and racial equity.
Her career in politics began when she was inspired by Barack Obama’s 2007 presidential campaign. Working as a journalist and high school teacher at the time, she joined the campaign and discovered her passion for political organizing and coalition-building.
This pivotal moment launched her into a career that would span multiple presidential administrations and campaigns.
Is Ashley Allison married? Relationship status and personal life
Ashley Allison keeps her personal life private. She has not publicly disclosed her marital status or relationship details.
There is no confirmed information about a husband or partner in public records or her social media profiles.
Allison refers to herself as “ZZ’s mama” on her Instagram profile, referring to her pet dog who shares her birthday on July 27.
She frequently posts about her dog on social media and has mentioned that when she travels extensively, ZZ stays with a dog sitter.
She does not have any children that have been publicly mentioned or confirmed.
Allison was born to parents Bennie and Fawn, as referenced in her Instagram biography where she identifies as “Bennie and Fawn’s Daughter.”
Her grandmother is Catherine Allison, and her family has deep roots in Youngstown, Ohio. Her mother and grandmother are both members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., continuing a family tradition of service and sisterhood.
How old is Ashley Allison? Age and birthday
Ashley Allison is 43 years old as of January 2026. She was born on July 27, 1982, in Youngstown, Ohio.
Her zodiac sign is Leo. She celebrates her birthday each year on July 27, sharing the date with her pet dog, ZZ.
Ashley Allison’s career
Early political work and Obama administration
Allison’s career trajectory changed dramatically when she joined Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
After earning her law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 2011, she moved back to Ohio to work full-time on Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Her dedication and strategic skills caught the attention of senior officials.
In the Obama-Biden administration, Allison served as Deputy Director in the Office of Public Engagement. In this role, she managed a team of associate directors who worked with leaders across various sectors.
She focused on policy areas including criminal justice reform, voting rights, and community engagement. She worked under Valerie Jarrett, serving as deputy director and senior policy advisor.
Biden-Harris campaign and transition
Allison played a key role in the 2020 Biden-Harris presidential campaign as the National Coalitions Director.
She was responsible for building and maintaining relationships with diverse communities and organizations across the country. Her work focused on ensuring that no community was left out of the campaign’s outreach efforts.
Following the campaign’s success, she served as a senior advisor during the Biden-Harris transition team, helping shape the incoming administration’s approach to coalition-building and community engagement.
Turner Conoly Group
Allison founded and served as CEO of the Turner Conoly Group, a consulting firm that strategizes with campaigns, consults with companies, and provides leadership development services.
Through this venture, she worked with political campaigns, corporate clients, and organizations seeking to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Watering Hole Media and The Root acquisition
In recent years, Allison founded Watering Hole Media, a social impact media company driving cultural conversations and specializing in video-first content for communities of color. The company focuses on creating content that bridges the gap between culture and politics.
On October 2, 2025, Allison made headlines when Watering Hole Media acquired The Root from G/O Media.
This acquisition marked a historic moment as The Root, founded in 2008, returned to Black ownership for the first time in years. Allison became the publication’s first Black woman owner.
The Root focuses on Black news, opinion, politics, and culture. Under Allison’s leadership as publisher, the outlet has maintained its reputation as a trusted source while expanding its reach and influence in digital media.
Media presence and commentary
Allison serves as a political commentator for CNN and is a regular contributor on MSNBC. Her media appearances focus on political analysis, civil rights issues, and coalition-building strategies.
She brings her experience from the Obama and Biden administrations to provide insider perspectives on political developments.
She previously hosted “Pod for the Cause,” a podcast focused on civil rights and social justice issues.
Board positions and leadership roles
Allison serves as Board Chair for the Color of Change PAC Board, an organization focused on racial justice and electoral politics. She is also a member of the Free Press Action Fund Board.
In 2021, she was appointed a Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Fellow for the Fall semester. During her fellowship, she led study groups on coalition-building, political strategy, and navigating complex political dynamics.
Speaking engagements
Allison is a sought-after keynote speaker who addresses topics including:
- Building winning and sustainable teams
- Corporate racial equity and DEI initiatives
- Coalition-building and political strategy
- Leadership development
- Civil rights and social justice
Her speaking fee typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the event type and format.
What is Ashley Allison’s net worth?
As of 2026, Ashley Allison’s net worth is estimated at $7 million. She has built this wealth through multiple income streams.
Her primary sources of income include her role as publisher of The Root following the acquisition by her company Watering Hole Media, CNN commentator fees, MSNBC contributor payments, speaking engagements, and consulting work through her previous role at Turner Conoly Group.
The acquisition of The Root in 2025 represented a major business investment and milestone in her career. While the exact purchase price was not publicly disclosed, the transaction positioned Allison as a significant player in Black-owned media.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Ashley Allison maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @ashley_r_allison. She has approximately 115,000 followers on the platform.
Her profile describes her as “Dragon Slayer Publisher @the.root Founder @wateringholemedia CNN Commentator ZZ’s mama Bennie and Fawn’s Daughter #Youngstown OH girl.”
She uses her social media platforms to share content about The Root, political commentary, personal moments, and advocacy work.
Her posts often highlight civil rights issues, political developments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work in media and politics.
Allison’s social media presence reflects her multifaceted career, with content ranging from serious political analysis to personal wellness practices like yoga and meditation.
Fast facts about Ashley Allison
- Ashley Allison is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., having been initiated in Spring 2003 at The Ohio State University’s Epsilon Chapter, continuing a family tradition as her mother and grandmother are also Deltas.
- She is a certified yoga instructor and meditation teacher who teaches yoga and meditation specifically to women of color in her free time, combining her commitment to wellness with racial justice.
- Allison worked in the Obama-Biden White House for several years, serving as Deputy Director in the Office of Public Engagement where she focused on criminal justice reform and voting rights.
- She served as National Coalitions Director for the 2020 Biden-Harris presidential campaign, playing a crucial role in building the diverse coalition that helped win the election.
- In 2021, she was appointed a Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Fellow, where she led study groups on coalition-building and political strategy.
- Allison’s speaking engagements command fees between $10,000 and $20,000, and she addresses topics including DEI, political strategy, and leadership development.
- She is originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Ursuline High School before attending The Ohio State University.
- Before entering politics full-time, Allison worked as a journalist and high school teacher in Ohio.
- She holds three degrees: a Bachelor’s from Ohio State University, a Master of Education from Long Island University, and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School specializing in public interest law.
- Allison celebrates her birthday on July 27 each year, the same date as her beloved dog ZZ, and she marked her 41st birthday in 2023 by running and walking 10 miles.
Read more: Is Allison Lanier married? Partner, net worth, age, height, career
Wrapping up
Ashley Allison has established herself as a powerful voice in American politics, civil rights, and media entrepreneurship.
From her early days working on the Obama campaign to her current role as publisher of The Root, she has built a career focused on amplifying marginalized voices and building winning coalitions.
Her acquisition of The Root in 2025 marked a significant milestone in Black media ownership and solidified her status as a media entrepreneur.
With an estimated net worth of $7 million, ongoing work as a CNN commentator, and leadership of Watering Hole Media, Allison continues to shape conversations at the intersection of politics, culture, and social justice.
References
- Harvard Institute of Politics. “Ashley Allison – Fellow Biography”.
- NPR. “The Root returns to Black ownership. Here’s how Ashley Allison is reimagining it”.
- CNN Business. “The Root returns to Black ownership”.
- Brooklyn Law School. “Making Positive Changes from the White House Meet Ashley Allison ’11”.
- WWSG. “Ashley Allison – Equity Public & Keynote Speaker”.
- The Vindicator. “Youngstown native named Harvard Kennedy fellow”.
- Watch The Yard. “Delta Sigma Theta Soror Ashley Allison Acquires The Root”.
- Watering Hole Media. “Ashley Allison – Wait A Minute Profile”.
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