The Root

Lawyers representing rapper DaBaby—a.k.a. Jonathan Lyndal Kirk—are speaking out following the recent publishing of never-before-seen video footage by Rolling Stone, that seemingly calls into question the “Bop” rapper’s stance of self-defense in connection with a deadly Wal-Mart shooting back in 2018 that resulted in…Read more...

As basketball star Brittney Griner continues to be detained in Russia, the release of another imprisoned American has led to questions about how the federal government is responding to her case.Read more...

Hyperpigmentation, vitiligo and keloids are some of the most common skin conditions affecting people of color. But trying to find information on diagnosis and treatment isn’t always easy.

Last week, we told you about how rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested and later released from jail in connection with a 2021 shooting. We also told you that while his expedient release was in process, police raided his Los Angeles home using a battering ram to gain access. Well, now we know a little about what they found.Read more...

Blac Chyna’s $100 million defamation trial against the Kardashian/Jenner family took a dramatic turn when Rob Kardashian squared off with Chyna’s attorney during his testimony. According to Deadline, an agitated Kardashian spoke about Chyna, legal name Angela White, allegedly holding a gun to his head, saying, “She…Read more...

A Michigan white man has been charged with hate crimes by the Justice Department for terrorizing local residents by leaving racist notes and nooses around his community to prevent them from supporting Black Lives Matter, according to NBC News.Read more...

White people love to invoke the imagery of Black trauma to get a point across—especially when it furthers their political agenda. Case in point: Texas Republican Louie Gohmert’s latest remarks regarding the treatment of Clarence Thomas. It happened during a House Judiciary Committee hearing called “Building Confidence…Read more...

There’s no dispute that Grand Rapids cop Christopher Schurr killed 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya by shooting him in the back of the head. There’s no question that Lyoya was unarmed when Schurr pulled him over or that the traffic stop that ended in Lyoya’s death was for a nonviolent infraction (the car Lyoya was driving…Read more...

South Carolina is one of two remaining states that have not passed a hate crimes law. The other is Wyoming, whose latest attempt at passing a law failed in 2021. Despite explaining and bargaining with state Republicans, there are only days left until the measure dies on the legislative floor.Read more...

Isn’t it funny how the same rules cops apply to everyone else suddenly no longer apply when they’re in trouble?

In his first major headlining appearance since the Astroworld tragedy in 2021, Travis Scott will be performing at this year’s Primavera Festival in Santiago, Chile in South America.Read more...

It’s time for a new crop of houses to compete for the Legendary title, as the HBO Max reality series is set to return for Season 3. According to a press release provided to The Root, the first three episodes premiere Thursday, May 19, with three new episodes every week through the June 9 season finale. The ballroom is…Read more...

The country’s richest, most prestigious university has set up a $100 million fund as an attempt to make amends for its own role in American slavery.Read more...

If you’re hellbent on being “outside” this summer and Lil Nas X’s or Lizzo’s Tour recent tour announcements didn’t tickle your fancy, then allow me to provide with another option that’s sure to get you moving and grooving: Pharrell Williams’ 2022 Something in the Water Festival!Read more...

Collard greens are mandatory on any soul food menu and are often the star of a Black family dinner table. The history of these glorious greens can be traced to enslaved African Americans and poor whites in the South, who relied on the inexpensive, healthy vegetable to feed their families. But while every Black family…Read more...

A state investigation launched after George Floyd’s murder found that Minneapolis police engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least the past decade, according to the Associated Press. The bad behavior includes stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than whites, using force more often on…Read more...

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Allegations that Ohio police used excessive force when they fatally shot a 23-year-old Black man in 2016 during an undercover operation were rejected by a federal jury, according to the Associated Press.Read more...

In the words of Wicked’s lead witch Elphaba, “Something has changed…something is not the same.” That’s how a lot of fans are feeling about the news that the upcoming film adaptation of the extremely “Popular” musical will now be told in two parts.Read more...

Five London officers will face a misconduct hearing after stopping and searching two Black athletes, reported The Associated Press. The two accused the officers of racially profiling them after being handcuffed and searched for weapons.

House Democrats are scheduled to hold a hearing today to discuss Supreme Court ethics and the possibility of impeaching justices, as reported by The Hill. Last month, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) called for Justice Clarence Thomas’s recusal when ruling on lawsuits challenging the results of the 2020 election.Read more...

When the Biden administration extended the payment freeze on federal student loan payments until August 31st, many were hoping that this would give the White House more time to think of a forgiveness option. President Biden previously signaled that he would be open to forgiving $10,000 of student debt per person. Any…Read more...

If you need someone to play the Queen of Gospel, the only logical choice is Yolanda Adams. That’s the conclusion producers of the new eight-episode BET+ drama Kingdom Business came to as well, as the gospel legend stars in the series alongside Serayah, Chaundre A. Hall-Broomfield, Michael Beach and Michael Jai White.…Read more...

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, known for some of the Blackest moments in White House history, is returning Saturday for the first time in 2 years. It’s where we saw that infamous mic drop. It’s where Larry Wilmore called Barack Obama “[his] nigga,” which set off a cascade of white tears. It’s where…Read more...

Fans and loyal followers of the super-powered Netflix series Raising Dion will be disappointed to learn that the show will not be returning for a third season.

In case you weren’t paying attention in history class, the Confederate states lost the Civil War. But yet over 150 years after Robert E. Lee surrendered, we’ve still got folks that just can’t let go of that flag. Now, after a lengthy two-year process, a Tennessee county finally got the go ahead to remove the…Read more...

Updated as of 4/27/2022 at 9:30 a.m. ETRead more...

Derek Chauvin’s attorneys ask the court on Monday for three things: overturn his conviction, grant him a new trial or return the case to a lower court so he can be resentenced, according to ABC News.Read more...

The Weeknd is one of the most uniquely creative minds in entertainment. Everything he does is interesting and fresh. However, just because you make cool music videos and tours doesn’t mean you know how to put together a big budget TV series. According to Variety, that’s the boat The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye,…Read more...

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Despite not producing any substantial evidence of voter fraud in the state, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis put his stamp of approval for Florida to form an “election police force,” as reported by Politico. Florida is one of the first states in the country to have a unit dedicated to looking into election fraud–a phenomenon…Read more...

Queen Latifah went back to her hometown of Newark on Wednesday to break ground on a new, affordable housing development that she says she’d been planning for more than a decade.

Saying that the aviation industry is dominated by white men is a huge understatement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 5 percent of pilots are women, and 6 percent are people of color. But in January 2022, one of the country’s largest airlines launched a revolutionary flight training program that…Read more...

Ntozake Shange’s revered choreopoem, ““for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf,” made a highly anticipated return on Broadway earlier this month. It originally opened in New York City’s Booth Theatre in 1976. Shange pioneered the term “choreopoem,” which combines elements of music, dance…Read more...

The attorney representing the women suing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have a novel legal strategy: use the fact that Watson no longer lives in Texas as a way to pressure him to settle.

I don’t know how y’all do things on y’alls side of the internet, but on this side, we support any and all things LeVar Burton—especially when he’s going to be one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Emmys!Read more...

The Supreme Court has declined the request of a parental coalition to block the admissions policy of an elite public high school in Virginia, according to CNN. Lawyers for the school board state policy is “race-neutral” and is meant to add more diversity to the school. Critics claim it discriminates against Asian…Read more...

One of the many Black women who have shattered the political glass ceiling over the last couple of years, Stacey Abrams has been a major advocate and activist for voting rights and has led the fight against voter suppression in southern states.Read more...

For a Black person looking for a place to travel, Seattle may not exactly be the first place that comes to mind. Depending on where you’re from, you might even be wondering, “Are there any Black folks in Seattle at all?”

Every year, movie theater owners and studios gather at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to discuss the changing state of the movie business and release strategies. The convention usually includes studios and stars presenting footage of highly-anticipated films. First up at this year’s edition is Sony, which delivered first…Read more...

Yet another high-profile politician in the white house has tested positive for COVID-19.Read more...

If you’re a music lover and determined to be outside this summer, then allow me to give you a few options to indulge in: Lizzo’s Special Tour and Lil Nas X’s Long Live Montero Tour.

Wichita advocates are still searching for answers in the death of Cedric Lofton, the 17-year-old Black teenager who died after being restrained by police officers last year. The incident occurred at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center, where Lofton was taken after being arrested on suspicion of…Read more...

Award-winning actress Viola Davis has received some pointed online criticism of her portrayal of Michelle Obama in Showtime’s anthology series The First Lady. Now the Fences star is offering her opinion of critics and how the internet’s reception of her performance has affected her.Read more...

The family of the 14-year-old Missouri teenager, who fell and died on an amusement park ride in Orlando, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit , according to NBC News.Read more...

Updated Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.

The late great DJ Kay Slay was laid to rest on Sunday after a memorial service at New York City’s Apollo Theater. The Hot 97 host, born Keith Grayson, was hospitalized with Covid-10 in January. He passed away in earlier this month at just 55 years old.Read more...

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Tony Award-winning actress Adrienne Warren and three time Tony-nominated actor Joshua Henry have been tapped as announcers for this year’s Tony Award nominees.Read more...

On an April 25 visit to Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies would donate $100 million each to two New York City charter networks, Harlem Children’s Zone and Success Academy. Plans for the money include building improvements, …Read more...