The Root

Sports is an everchanging genre, where fans and media alike seek the next great phenom. But we can't just keep looking forward, but we must also look back to remember the athletes who paved the way for professionals today to thrive. Here are the Black athletes who died in 2023.

Tiffany Haddish continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons yet she is trying-as comedians do-to find the silver lining in it all and laugh about it. But many don't seem to think it's funny. The Girls Trip" star, 44, was performing at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles on Christmas Day when she began to...Read more...

The Color Purple's 2023 reboot has a lot of people reminiscing about the 1985 classic period film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. But we can't forget that the movie that earned critical acclaim and 11 Oscar nominations was based on a 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.

A Black Bronx man was arrested in the stabbing of two teenagers visiting the city for Christmas. Police say his charges were upgraded to a hate crime after he spat a series of remarks that suggested he had a thing against white folks.

Making a new adaptation of The Color Purple" was always going to be controversial. The musical debuted in 2005, but every fan has their own connection to the novel and the original 1985 movie, so people feel like they have ownership over the story. To that end, a particular point of contention for the new film has...Read more...

A woman from South Jersey began the year of 2023 with being sent to prison but for such a heinous crime, we're still reeling about it.

Byron Perkins is taking his talents on the field to the NFL next year.

Throughout the United States, historic Black cemeteries have fallen into disarray, even as sites dedicated to Confederate soldiers have garnered state protection and maintenance.Read more...

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Being a grandpa is a good look for Al Roker. The TODAY Show weatherman is taking a little break from delivering the national forecasts to spend the holidays with his family. And judging by the smile on his face in his photos, he's having the time of his life.Read more...

Colman Domingo is in the middle of a major career moment. He can currently be seen as Mister in the blockbuster musical The Color Purple." He's also receiving critical acclaim and multiple award nominations for his performance as civil rights icon Bayard Rustin in the Netflix biopic Rustin.' However, the Emmy winner...Read more...

If you think guys don't have a lot of options when it comes to styling their hair, you couldn't be more wrong. We saw afros, braids, locs and even bald heads on some of our favorite celebrities this year. And who could forget the beards?Read more...

Even if most cities didn't have a white Christmas this year, it was a green Christmas at the box office this year. With three major releases all slated on Christmas day-that's The Color Purple, Ferrari, and The Boys In The Boat-families were keen to leave eggnog and wrapping paper behind to watch Adam Driver drive...Read more...

The Barack and Michelle Obama-produced Netflix film, Leave The World Behind," is an apocalyptic thriller replete with Black History easter eggs, Julia Roberts awkwardly dancing, and metaphors used to underscore and warn of society's overdependence on technology, the rise of artificial intelligence, the destruction...Read more...

You'd have to have been under the heaviest of rocks to have not heard or read the name Christian Keyes" in the last week and a half.Read more...

2023, like every other year, had its fair share of Karens. From Citi Bike Karen to MAGA Karen to Postal Karen, here are the most infamous white women who caused racist spectacles this year.Read more...

For many, particularly Black folks, the holiday festivities continue with the celebration of Kwanzaa - a jubilee around Black culture and unity.

From sweeping period pieces, to thrilling horror, to the most dysfunctional family in television history, 2023 delivered an endless amount of captivating TV series. Honestly, it's understandable if you couldn't keep up with all of it, because a new prestige project premiered almost every week. Whether you missed that...Read more...

It's been an interesting year in Black politics. Here are the figures we're keeping a close eye on going into 2024!Read more...

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Last week, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is ineligible to become president due to his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. However, it is most likely that the Supreme Court will overturn their decision.

A Black mother called the police earlier this month for help after her ex-boyfriend was allegedly getting violent with her. However, when the police arrived to the scene, they shot her dead instead. Now the woman's family wants answers from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

A Black single dad is counting his blessings following an outpouring of love and support after his TikTok video went viral. Donald Wilson of Detroit became a single father to children Donald Jr., 5, Poetry, 4 and Honesty, 1 in August after their mother and his ex, Lakenya Wilbourn, died of a stroke.Read more...

In October 2022, rap superstar Kanye West nearly destroyed his career and reputation with a series of anti-semitic rants on social media. He played up offensive stereotypes about Jewish people and said he planned to go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE."Read more...

Finding a Black Santa for Christmas photos and events is becoming more and more common across communities of color across the United States-and internationally. In Arkansas, one Black father was inspired to put on his Santa suit after an incident of racism in his neighborhood.

Nothing and no one makes the internet hum quite like Black folks.Read more...

As prominent Black Americans continue their calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip - widespread accusations of antisemitism have been hurled at the Black community. Notably, The Morning Show actress Julianna Margulies said that Black people were brainwashed to hate Jews."

It's been a pretty memorable year in politics. But let's be honest...it's been mostly for bad reasons. But there were also many hilarious and wacky moments, so without further ado, here are the ones we couldn't stop laughing about on social media.Read more...

The political landscape of 2023 was wild to say the least. From a list of asinine GOP presidential candidates to questionable antics in the Senate, here are the biggest trainwrecks we saw this year.Read more...

As 2023 comes to an end, you're probably seeing a lot of best of the year lists. In case you got a little busy with life and are wondering how you missed all these amazing, interesting series, we've got a helpful roundup of the TV series you need to revisit before the clock strikes midnight on 2023.Read more...

In American Fiction," the feature directorial debut from The Root alum Cord Jefferson, Jeffrey Wright stars as as Monk, a frustrated novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black" entertainment that relies on tired stereotypes and offensive tropes.

On Christmas Day, the world will get re-introduced to the The Color Purple"- the upcoming movie musical adaptation that bills itself as a bold new take" on a beloved classic."Read more...

While the U.S. may just be getting over the joys of Christmas on Dec. 25th, for those living in the Bahamas, they're gearing to celebrate one of the biggest holidays of the year: Junkanoo.

You may still be trying to squeeze in your last holiday shopping, but we're already thinking about 2024 - well, the books, at least. Whether you're looking to escape with historical fiction or get some practical advice to help you achieve your goals, the new year plans to bring great new books for readers of all ages.

Spend enough time on Black Twitter (or X, or whatever), and you'll pick up on certain unassailable trends. Among them is our staunch defense of Black celebrities we hold near and dear - for example, look at how we (temporarily) ran Keke Palmer's baby's father clean off of the internet over that whole Usher debacle, alb...Read more...

To put it lightly, things have not been easy for Black people in the United States. From slavery to segregation to police brutality, Black Americans have been through the wringer. But who were the figures responsible for these hardships?Read more...

Freshman Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) may be new to the hill. But his love of Historically Black Colleges and Universities dates way back. Now, the North Carolina A&T State University alumn is leading the charge in Congress to bring digital equity to HBCU campuses.Read more...

Nearly a decade after the water crisis in Flint, Mich. was first brought to national attention, residents still don't have justice. Thanks to a recent court ruling, it looks like they may never get it.

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As 2023 draws to a close, we're looking back at all of the best moments of the year. Black celebs, in particular got creative this year with their hair. From locs to wigs to afros, the best dos were on display every day. So, sit back and relax and let's take a walk down memory lane. Here are the hair moments we...Read more...

Some of our posts include links to retailers. If you buy something from clicking on one, G/O Media may earn a commission. Because editorial staff is independent of commerce, affiliate linking does not influence our editorial content.Acclaimed preacher TD Jakes tells followers to log off" when it comes to recent social media allegations. Jakes was the subject of a recent unverified report on Tiktok that he was a frequent guest at sex parties that the rapper and businessman known as Diddy" hosted. The minister's sexuality was also called into...Read more...

My brethren, the penultimate week of 2023 has been lit for us-and not in a good way.

Auntie Anita is back in the news, making headlines this week for her diva-like behavior on tour. And this time, there was very little Sweet Love" at Baker's December show at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Every holiday season, the same soundtrack can be heard throughout the land. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," All I Want for Christmas Is You," Jingle Bell Rock" and Last Christmas" are on a constant loop during November and December, anchoring playlists that also find space for such enduring chestnuts as Frank...Read more...

We know everyone will be listening to Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You," and Donny Hathaway's This Christmas, " but think about adding some Hip-Hop hits to your holiday playlist?Read more...

DJ Envy of The Breakfast Club may be arrested if he refuses to comply with a subpoena in a bankruptcy involving his former business partner Cesar Pina. Per legal documents, Envy-whose real name is Raashaun Casey-has been given until Jan. 8 to produce all documents requested by a court-appointed trustee in charge of...Read more...

From record-breaking, chart-topping musicians, to genre-defying actors, to reinventing a Disney Princess, there is no aspect of entertainment that Black artists didn't dominate. The undeniable impact and influence of their artistry gave us joy during turbulent times. In recognition of their game-changing talent, these...Read more...

Mr. Simone Biles (AKA Jonathan Owens) is being read for filth for his comments on The Pivot podcast, which features former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder as host for a weekly sit-down with top athletes and entertainers.Read more...

In a year full of breakups, rappers Cardi B and Offset are ending 2023 with the messiest one.