The Root

In a new interview with legendary music journalist Elliott Wilson, Freddie Gibbs opens up about the dangers of being a rapper following the death of Takeoff earlier this month. The late Migos member was shot to death on November 1 at a Houston bowling alley, causing strong reactions from the music community.Read more...

The Root previously reported on the Open Enrollment period, the time from November 1 - December 15 when consumers who do not receive healthcare through their employer are eligible to sign up for a full year of coverage starting on January 1, 2023.Read more...

One of the worst modern political myths is that of the “job creator,” a caricature that’s supposed to represent entrepreneurs and small business owners who would do just fine if only government would do away with regulations and taxes. The job creator drives the American economy, but they can only do so if the free…Read more...

In a minute, I’mma need a sentimental man or woman to pump me up. Why? Because on Friday it was revealed that singer and rapper Lizzo will receive the People’s Champion award at the 2022 People’s Choice Award.Read more...

Earlier this week, we told you about how rappers Drake and 21 Savage have to now wade through legal waters after being hit a $4 million lawsuit from Vogue Magazine for using fake lookalike covers to promo their recently released joint album, Her Loss.Read more...

Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, is set to be released from prison next month after serving more than 35 years. In October, U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier sanctioned a motion to release him. The decision that Shakur would be granted parole became public knowledge on Thursday.Read more...

I can’t remember when I last saw a white man shed as many tears over the fate of a Black man as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) did last night on Herschel Walker’s behalf during Sean Hannity’s Fox News show.

After years of waiting, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has finally arrived and the first reactions are mostly positive. It’s a truly beautiful, moving film that’s also a fun, action packed spectacle. Initial critics reviews are great, with the film currently holding an 85 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s not unusual for a celebrity with an especially inspiring story to pen a memoir that chronicles their dramatic rise to fame. And while these books are stories about real life, some stars have chosen to get a little more creative by writing works of fiction.Read more...

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is serving a minimum five-game suspension for sharing a link to a film containing anti-Semitic material. Before he can return after Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Irving also has to fulfill a list of requirements put forth by the team.Read more...

“Grandmaster Jay,” whose name is John Fitzgerald Johnson, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years and two months in prison. Johnson, 59, was found guilty of brandishing a firearm at state and federal officers as well as assault. In February 2021, he was first indicted by a federal grand jury. In May of this year, he…Read more...

Three former Pennsylvania police officers pleaded guilty on Thursday to reckless endangerment in a shooting that killed eight-year-old Fanta Bility. The officers were originally charged with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter after firing in the direction of a crowd leaving a high school football game, according…Read more...

As construction on former President Barack Obama’s presidential center in Chicago moves forward, officials were appalled at what they call a “shameless act of cowardice and hate.” A noose was found at the site in Jackson Park on Thursday morning, according to the Chicago Tribune.Read more...

Fans of grown folks R&B rejoice! One of our greats, Anita Baker, announced that she is going to hit the road in 2023, tweeting, “2023 Coming Straight to YOU. This time...With *My Own* catalog sO Grateful *MiraclesOfMusic* ABXO Special Guest, too.”

Updated as of 10am ET on 11/11/2022: As is usual protocol when a celeb is set to host Saturday Night Live, a mashup promo video of them announcing their stint gets released days before their appearance. Such was the case with upcoming host Dave Chappelle, who did his iteration of the video alongside comedian and SNL…Read more...

Everyone knows that Jeopardy! is supposed to be a game show for super smart people. That’s why I make sure to give myself a pat on the back any time I can answer one of the questions. And the show’s Tournament of Champions is for the smartest of the smart. It’s a special two-week tournament that brings back…Read more...

Correction: 11/11/2022 6:36 a.m. ETRead more...

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A New Jersey man is accused of posting an online threat last week to Jewish synagogues. Omar Alkattoul, 18, of Sayreville, was charged with transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce. Alkattoul was scheduled to first appear in court in Newark on Thursday afternoon. He will be represented by a federal…Read more...

Whether or not you deem Chris Rock a king of comedy, Netflix has just deemed the artist worthy of becoming the first-ever comedian to perform live on its platform.Read more...

Lamor Whitehead, the Brooklyn Bishop who’s spent a lot of his time outside the pulpit in courtrooms these days, is filing another lawsuit, this time seeking $50 million from New York radio station 94.7 The Block and one of its hosts, Tarsha “Miss Jones” Jones.Read more...

If you’re a Black person attending a school named after Robert E. Lee, you probably already know something is mad wrong. But for years, students at Walter L. Parsley Elementary School in Wilmington, North Carolina, had no idea their school was named after a white supremacist.

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On Thursday, Tarana Burke, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Angela Rye, Tamika Mallory, Marc Lamont Hill and other influential leaders penned an open letter in support of Megan Thee Stallion. This moves comes in the aftermath of the “Savage” rapper’s years long battle against misogyny in the industry and most recently, …Read more...

As the 2022-23 TV season heads into its winter hiatus, we’re getting a look at where the broadcast networks stand among Black viewers and the top 10 has some interesting revelations. Led by strong Nielsen ratings performances from The Equalizer and East New York, CBS is the top broadcast network with Black audiences.

The suspect who allegedly opened fire on a subway train in New York City is requesting to have his trial moved out of state. The legal team for Frank James, the man accused of being behind the April shooting, insists that the case be moved to Chicago.Read more...

Meghan Markle has become increasingly vocal since giving up her royal duties. However, after she began dating Prince Harry in 2017, she’s been far from the traditional choice for a royal partner. Here are some of the rules and traditions she’s broken (intentionally and unintentionally) since joining the British royal…Read more...

Whatever your politics, maybe the best thing about putting the midterm elections in the rearview mirror is the end of being bombarded with campaign ads, texts and polls. Where I live in Pittsburgh, I couldn’t watch Jeopardy! for weeks without a commercial telling me that radical Summer Lee (who just became…Read more...

King Charles III recently had a meeting with artists in Leeds who participated in the Worlds Re-imagined Globes project, which delves into the role Britain played in slavery. As reported by The Independent, Fiona Compton—a historian and artist who hails from St. Lucia—shared with Charles her Palace of the Peacock…Read more...

In a post-COVID world, I think we can all agree that gratitude hits a little different. But for music fans in particular, it’s been a tumultuous journey reacquainting ourselves with the music we love and the concerts we lost. Thankfully, in our darkest hours, we found salvation in platforms like Verzuz (Teddy Riley…Read more...

When it comes to fresh fish with a beautiful view, City Island, a waterfront community in the northeast section of the Bronx, delivers. A popular New York City destination for people looking for good seafood, there is no shortage of good restaurants. But restaurants owned by people of color are few and far between.

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A Tarrant City Council member was arrested on Monday night after he punched the city’s Black mayor. The incident happened after a city council meeting on Monday night, according to Al.com. Mayor Wayman Newton was talking to Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major near a pick-up truck in the parking lot, surveillance…Read more...

The grades (read: numbers) are in and Abbott Elementary, ABC’s hit comedy series, continues its A+ rating with both the network and viewers, as its Season Two premiere became the highest-rated comedy telecast in three years.Read more...

Following the news that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been transferred to a Russian penal colony, President Joe Biden is still optimistic that talks for a prisoner exchange can happen. During a post-midterms press conference, the president expressed his hope that the two countries could still reach a deal to bring the…Read more...

The life and times of Snoop D-O-Double G will be headed to a screen near us soon!Read more...

As the world prepares for the Nov. 11 release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, writer/director Ryan Coogler is finally ready to get some rest. Of course, that doesn’t mean Marvel Cinematic Universe fans aren’t already trying to guess what his next move in the franchise might be.

The weirdest, most problematic Senate race in the country is headed to extra innings as neither incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock or Republican challenger Herschel Walker managed to meet the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff, which is now slated for early December.Read more...

As the exit polls from the 2022 midterm elections continue to circulate, Black folks once again proved to be crucial blocks for the Democratic party. Black people accounted for 11% of voters—86% of whom voted blue. However, over the last several months, there was significant talk of how the absence of Black male…Read more...

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I know you’re crazy excited to finally see Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and feel like you’re prepared for anything, but there’s probably one more question you need answered: Who the hell is Namor?Read more...

The state of Mississippi is suing two companies backed by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre for allegedly taking millions of dollars in welfare funds, according to ESPN. Prevacus, PresolMD, and their founder, Jake VanLandingham, were reportedly facing substantial debt over the years and pushing investors to get their…Read more...

The Black Yee-Haw Agenda continues as production for a new Western from director Mario Van Peebles has just wrapped. Titled Outlaws, the film stars Peebles along with familiar faces Cedric the Entertainer and longtime cohost of The View, Whoopi Goldberg.Read more...

How is it that after being caught spewing racist insults, petitioned by the district attorney to be fired and then finally resigning does a single North Carolina sheriff still have a damn job? Politics. According to The News & Observer, Jody Greene beat his Democratic challenger and was re-elected as sheriff.Read more...

To no surprise, hate crimes are still very prominent in the United States, and unfortunately, Black people still happen to be some of the biggest victims of race-related crimes. But, in one particular U.S. city, hate crimes against Black people are rising at an enormous rate.Read more...

Throughout the course of a career that’s spanned four decades and counting, Melissa Arnette Elliott—which translates to “she who puts her thang down, flips it, and reverses it” in Wakandan—has made it her civic duty to astonish and astound us for a living. And in her efforts to continue to reach new heights, over the…Read more...

At least $1 million worth of property that’s related or belonging to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is now at the center of a new lawsuit.Read more...

For only the third time in the nation’s history, voters in one of the 50 states picked a Black candidate for governor on Tuesday, electing Democrat Wes Moore over Republican Dan Cox by a nearly 23-point margin.Read more...

In June, Akron police officers fired over 60 bullets killing Jayland Walker, sparking protests against police brutality. On Tuesday, over 60 percent of Akron voters pushed forward a police reform initiative granting civilian oversight of the department, per the Akron Beacon Journal.Read more...