The Root

The news of Cassie's disturbing and shocking lawsuit against Sean Diddy" Combs dropped Thursday and detailed years of allege abuse and sexual assault. The suit was so graphic that it came with a trigger warning, in which Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) accuses Combs of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking.Read more...

Over the last few years, we've covered so many exonerations it's hard to keep count. Black men have spent more than 20, 30, and in some cases, 40 years in prison before having their convictions thrown out.Read more...

I think everyone was taken aback to find the suspicions about the relationship between Sean Combs and Cassandra Ventura (or who we know as Diddy and Cassie) were even worse than we thoughtbased on the facts of the scathing lawsuit she levied against him on Thursday.Read more...

Corrine Woodson, 84, has lived at her home on Hamilton Road in Auburn, Alabama, for the last 60 years. The 40-acre estate, which her single-story home sits on, has been in her late husband's family even longer.

Sean Diddy" Combs, one of hip-hop's most influential figures, has just been named at the center of a shocking new sexual assault and sexual abuse lawsuit.Read more...

The Root 100 is here in 2023! There are so many notable and talented Black people who have made a huge impact in their respective industries in the past year. Politicians, scientists, writers, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and many more.

Despite his public scandals, Will Smith is still one of the most liked entertainers in the world. Maybe it's because we grew up with his music? Or perhaps it's the enduring love for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Or it could be that he seems like a nice guy? Whatever the reason, the Oscar winner is the celeb equivalent...Read more...

An independent pathologist released the initial findings from the autopsy of Dexter Wade, the Mississippi man fatally struck by a police car earlier this year and buried by the county unbeknownst to his family. The findings reveal Wade had identification on him at the time of his death.

Fan favorite Pedro Pascal is the latest name linked to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's upcoming Fantastic Four film. Depending on which report you read, he's either definitely starring as the hero or is just talking to Marvel about it. He's already connected to Disney through Star Wars' The Mandalorian, so it's not a...Read more...

Fulton County DA Fani T. Willis, the woman leading the criminal racketeering case against Donald Trump and his allies, has asked a judged to revoke the bond of one the co-defendants in the case. Willis made the request on Wednesday after accusing Harrison Floyd of intimidating possible witnesses in the case.Read more...

It took three whole years for the world to see what happened to Christopher Shaw, a Black man who was left paralyzed after a violent interaction with the Beaumont, Tex. police. The county was reluctant to release of the surveillance footage until the NAACP put its foot down, demanding transparency.

A protest outside of the Democratic National Committee headquarters devolved into chaos on Wednesday night as police in riot gear violently clashed with the crowd. At least one person was arrested at the protest, where dozens were gathered urging Democrats to call for a ceasefire on the Gaza Strip.Read more...

In news that can only be described as indicative of the world coming to an end, hell freezing over, and pigs flying simultaneously,Snoop Dogg is giving up smoking.

It looks like Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt is getting the full HBCU experience and living her absolute best college life. The 18-year-old daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is currently in her second year at Spelman College. And now, she is one of the newest members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.Read more...

Gayle King has received backlash online for an interview she conducted Wednesday on CBS Mornings, with Thomas Hand, father of eight-year-old Emily Hand who is being held hostage by Hamas. The exchange, which was already emotional, became even more intense when the topic of Gaza politics came up.

While Usher might be theKing of Las Vegas, his reign may just get cut short, as it appears a new queen might be headed to the legendary strip: Beyonce.Read more...

Racism has no age limit. It can come from a young student in middle school, or an elderly person living in a nursing home. Don't believe me?Read more...

Updated at 10:30 a.m. EST 11/16/2023Read more...

Selling Sunset star Bre Tiesi shocked the world when she revealed that she slept with superstar Michael B. Jordan in her pre-Nick Cannon days. The revelation came during a dinner with her co-stars, Amanza Smith, Chrishell Stause, and Emma Herman. As they discussed their relationships, Smith said she wanted to sleep...Read more...

Deja Taylor, mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot and injured his teacher at a Virginia elementary school, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison on federal charges. She still awaits sentencing for state charges in connection to the shooting.

Football is in full swing. Basketball season is fully underway. That also means a full-court press from advertisers in one of the greatest ironies of public health: During actual games, the fittest people on the planet slice through defensive lines, soar above the rim and sear the memories of mere mortal fans with...Read more...

It's that time of year again - time to roll out The Root 100, our list of the year's most influential Black Americans, ages 24 to 74.Read more...

Ever since the Astroworld Festival tragedy in November 2021, I've been pretty critical of Travis Scott. Not that I blame him for the incident, since I think a lot of factors were at play that led to the death of 10 innocent victims. But I don't necessarily think his behavior following the incident was perfect....Read more...

Sweeeet justice! Two white men are facing double trouble for breaking a Black man's jaw in an unprovoked, racist attack. In addition to prison time, they were also ordered by a state judge to pay the victim over $1 million in damages.

We all know Viola Davis can do literally anything. From Fences, to The Woman King, to Michelle Obama, she can make every role feel different while simultaneously adding her special Viola vibe to it. In the upcoming film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," the EGOT winner plays Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the...Read more...

When it comes to salacious gossip, it's reasonable to assume that if the person you're spreading rumors about is deceased, maybe they shouldn't be discussed.Read more...

To look past whatever (unnecessary) emotions you may have regarding the Great Oscars Slap of 2022 is to realize that it was always silly to blame Jada Pinkett Smith for executing some type of mind control" over Will Smith, causing him to destroy all the good will he had with white people with one fell slap.Read more...

Updated at 9:50am PT on 11/15/2023: Jada Pinkett-Smith is responding to recent online rumors that her husband, Will Smith, allegedly slept with fellow actor Duane Martin back in the day.Read more...

A white inmate held in a Wisconsin correctional facility is headed back to trial once again - and not for the homicide(s) of which he was convicted. He's actually accused of catching another body - a Black inmate - seemingly as a result of trying a join white supremacist prison gang.

Losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can go through. It's pain you can never prepare for. When your life revolves around helping others deal with their challenges, it can add another level of pressure to an already unimaginable situation. For famed life coach Iyanla Vanzant-in addition to grief-the death of...Read more...

Officers in England have arrested a man Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson.Read more...

Beyonce's Renaissance tour is undeniably the best tour of Summer 2023. (And no, we will not acknowledge anyone who says it's Taylor Swift's Eras tour). But another tour is set to take over in the Summer of 2024, and this one is a blast from the past.Read more...

In Bimini, one of the 700 islands that make up the beautiful Bahamas, there are a handful of little known spots that will put a smile on any traveler's face that's looking to explore culturally significant sites. Though I was only on the island for a few days, in celebration of JetBlue's inaugural, first-ever direct...Read more...

In an all-new interview, Jada Pinkett-Smith is opening up about how her seven-year-long separation from hubby Will Smith actually worked" to help their marriage. (Can't say that for most people, but do tell, Jada.)Read more...

Rihanna once again shocked the world with a new look when she debuted her new waist-length blonde hair. She's one of those rare people who can make literally any style work. From the moment she came on the scene, she's been keeping us on our toes with her looks, so we're taking a trip down memory lane with some of our...Read more...

In a recent interview on the Zach Sang Show, Chloe Bailey opened up about how her experiences with cheating have inspired her music. And the question we all have is, Who would cheat on Chloe Bailey?"

After an escalating series of scandals, the Supreme Court finally issued a code of conduct. But will this new code actually do anything to curb the behavior of some of the more notorious justices (**cough cough** Justice Clarence Thomas), or will it just sit there collecting dust?Read more...

A California middle-school student was suspended for wearing what some consider blackface to a football game. The eight-grader has only been identified as J.A. to protect his privacy.Read more...

As if the Minneapolis Police Department's reputation couldn't take any more punches after the murder of George Floyd, the latest scrutiny they've come under is for the promotion of a cop accused of being racist. Now, the public is wondering if the department is really taking their whole police reform" vow seriously.

Tasha K just goes from one legal battle to another. After a longstanding feud with Cardi B, the popular YouTuber is now being sued by R. Kelly.Read more...

One of the longest standing urban legends in music is that Boyz II Men recorded the famous Chili's I Want My Baby Back" jingle. The R&B stars have clarified many times that it wasn't them, but now the group is adding a new wrinkle to the story: They have recorded a new version of the song, putting their own classic...Read more...

The days when it was taboo to criticize the lives of Supreme Court Justices are over. And it turns out there's plenty hiding in their closets. Whether it's Justice Clarence Thomas sending his relative to school on a Republican megadonor's dime or Justice Samuel Alito reportedly taking a lavish trip with a billionaire...Read more...

While Keke Palmer's presumed ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson is dealing with a restraining order and domestic abuse allegations, it appears trouble is trickling down the family tree as his older brother, Insecure star Sarunas Jackson, is now facing a legal battle of his own.Read more...

On Monday, hundreds of people marched to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center in Atlanta. The site, which has been infamously dubbed as Cop City, is located outside Atlanta city limits in DeKalb County.Read more...

The body of a young Black girl was found hidden in concrete and ditched in the woods of south Georgia in 1988. After 35 long years of investigating, authorities revealed not only her identity but also that of her parents who are now facing murder charges.Read more...

Well, I'll be damned. I guess Killer Mike wasn't teasing.Read more...

Just in case everyone was getting a little too comfortable with the current version of Rihanna, the always unpredictable music superstar had a surprise for her fans. On Thursday, she debuted new waist-length blonde hair that has the internet talking.Read more...

You know how they say, When in Rome, do as the Romans?" Well, when you're in the Bahamas, you have to do like the Bahamians and try their most famous local dish: conch salad.

Rev. Al Sharpton and the mother of Eric Garner have taken a stance against the Biden administration's pending plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The civil rights activists say the move could trigger a ripple effect of fatal police interactions.

Earlier this year, Dexter Wade was fatally struck by a police car in Jackson, Miss. and buried by the county unbeknownst to his family. Now, the authorities have yet again moved behind the family's back by exhuming his body without them knowing.Read more...