The Root

While Chris Rock has remained adamant about not talking about the Will Smith slap incident that took place at this year’s Academy Awards, his brothers have chosen to go a different route.Read more...

In February, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis submitted a congressional map that would seek to break up north Florida’s lone Black district and hurt Democratic Rep. Al Lawson. At the time, Florida’s Supreme Court refused to give Desantis an advisory opinion on whether the district was protected under Florida’s voter-approved…Read more...

It appears the legal ramifications stemming from Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival, which ended in tragedy back in Nov. 2021, are continuing to play out.Read more...

Tracy Gaeta, 54, was shot and killed by a Stockton police officer after backing her car into a police vehicle, reported NBC News. Lawyers for her family say the officer used excessive force and that she never threatened anyone nor was she armed.

Within the massive protests that happened in the summer of 2020 calling attention to the murder of George Floyd and the need for substantial police reform, the incident at Washington’s Lafayette Square is still jarring to think about–given the manner and tools used to disperse a peaceful protest. It’s a continuation…Read more...

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has made no secret of his growing issues with Starz, the home to his extremely popular Power Universe and BMF. For the last few months, the rapper/producer has aired his grievances with the network on Instagram. And now, in his latest post, per HipHopDX, the “In Da Club” rapper said he is…Read more...

Updated as of 4/14/2022 at 9:30 .m. ETRead more...

The Biden Administration this morning will roll out so-called equity action plans for every federal agency, following up on a campaign promise to address structural and policy inequities along racial and gender lines across the government.Read more...

In February, the fledgling XFL said that when it relaunches in 2023, it would collaborate with the NFL on innovations that would “create increased opportunities for player development both on and off the field.”

Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty to charges of forcible touching, culminating one of several cases involving accusations of sexual misconduct that have followed the actor since 2019.

In his Proclamation of Black Maternal Health Week, President Biden stressed his commitment to policies and practices that make pregnancy and childbirth safer for Black women. We wanted to learn more about what his administration is doing to eliminate the racial disparities that exist in maternal healthcare.Read more...

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When Showtime announced it was including Forever First Lady Michelle Obama in its The First Lady limited series, our immediate reaction was: “Great, but who’s playing her?”Read more...

Just weeks after Questlove’s Summer of Soul (...Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) took home the much-deserved award for Documentary Feature at this year’s Oscars, it looks like the general public will be able to partake in some of that soul-stirring fun relatively soon.Read more...

Areva Martin is a parent of a Black son on the autism spectrum who knows firsthand the challenges parents face when trying to obtain the diagnoses and services they need for their children.Read more...

For fans of veteran TV actor Jesse L. Martin, he’s in a good news/bad news situation.Read more...

Former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who is already under fire concerning his role in the ongoing efforts to overturn the 20202 presidential results, has a separate mess to worry about – claims of voter fraud. The Hill reports Meadows has been removed from North Carolina’s voter rolls and is also being investigated for…Read more...

On Monday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that he had signed 700 bills into law and amended 100-plus other bills. However, the 26 bills Gov. Youngkin vetoed are drawing some pushback from critics, according to the Associated Press.

A Black history teacher at Menchville High School in Newport News, Virginia says he is preparing to sue a former student for multiple racist acts the student allegedly committed against him, according to WAVY-TV 10.

Updated as of 4/13/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ETRead more...

Even the Library of Congress knows “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit.”Read more...

Back in February, we told you about the potential collaboration between new Death Row Records owner Snoop Dogg and Bad Boy Records founder P. Diddy.Read more...

Lawyers for Nicki Minaj are responding to a claim in recent court documents that allege the Queen rapper has “a reputation of supporting sex offenders.”Read more...

According to the Associated Press, Nashville mayor John Cooper has stated he plans to sign an executive order on Thursday to make Juneteenth an official paid holiday for city employees. An effort to recognize Juneteeth a statewide holiday in Tennessee, stalled after a House panel took the bill “off notice.” Gov. Bill…Read more...

Despite Oscar winning Will Smith’s successful acting career and his move away from music, Will and DJ Jazzy Jeff of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince have remained close friends throughout the course of their careers.Read more...

Though we haven’t met Riri Williams yet, her superhero series Ironheart is busy assembling its team.

As usual, there’s no time wasted between the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship and the WNBA Draft. To be fair, the season starts May 6 so it’s not like there’s time to bask in the success of the tournament.Read more...

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission has approved seven medical marijuana businesses to sell legal weed to adults over 21 years old, reported Asbury Park Press. Thirteen dispensaries total have municipal approval from the state as of Monday.

It’s been up for debate whether drill rap music or music videos should be used as evidence in making arrests connected to gun violence. However, it seems the NYPD has already made an advance, arresting 20 Bronx gang members with their “Operation Drilly” initiative, reported New York Daily News. The suspects were…Read more...

Updated as of 4/13/2022 at 9:30 a.m. ETRead more...

The California task force on reparations will meet in person in San Francisco for the first time in more than a year since the panel was created, and just weeks after the group voted to limit compensation to descendants of free and enslaved Black people who were in the United States during the 19th century, according…Read more...

Updated as of 4/13/2022 at 9:15 a.m. ETRead more...

The family of Dwayne Haskins Jr., the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback who died in a tragic accident on a Florida highway last weekend, made their first public comments on his passing and announced two memorial services in his honor.

Kerrion Franklin, estranged son of gospel superstar Kirk Franklin, has reportedly been arrested and held without bond after he was stopped while allegedly driving a car belonging to a woman who is reported missing and presumed dead.Read more...

Marlon Wayans is looking to launch the next big names in comedy with a new stand-up special at HBO Max. Per a press release provided to The Root, Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners premieres Thursday, April 21 on HBO Max and features “actor D.C. Ervin, social media star Tony Baker, niece and stand-up comic Chaunté…Read more...

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Voting restrictions, medical treatment, and housing inequality are just a few issues adversely hurting Black Americans. According to Axios, the 46th edition of the National Urban League’s “State of Black America” report strives to show voter suppression, and growing income inequality will “precipitate the collapse of…Read more...

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Makeup is my guilty pleasure. Just a little bit of bronzer, lip gloss and mascara is sometimes all I need to put a little extra swagger in my step. But my love for lip gloss can easily turn into an expensive obsession, if I’m not careful. That’s why I’m always looking for products that won’t break the bank. I’ve…Read more...

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who is still under federal indictment on fraud charges, launched her re-election campaign in a dramatic, three-minute video that dropped on YouTube this afternoon.

If you were looking for more proof of Rihanna’s impeccable fashion sense, then look no further than to her latest magazine cover.Read more...

In order to assist students during the pandemic, Hampton University will erase all outstanding balances for the 2022 spring semester, according to Wavy TV 10. Last year, the school used the Federal Relief Act funds to pay off outstanding balances owed by undergraduate students from the spring semester.Read more...

About 23 million Americans hold some medical debt. According to a Consumer Financial Protection report, U.S. consumers held $88 billion in debt as of June 2021. Most of that burden falls on the shoulders of Black families (27.9 percent of Black households carrying medical debt compared to 17.2 percent of white…Read more...

The 2022 Billboard Music Awards are just around the corner, and as such, this year’s list of nominees has finally been revealed.Read more...

Stacey Abrams is hitting Georgia’s airwaves with a new ad campaign designed to highlight her experience as a business executive, and to take advantage of possible weaknesses in her potential Republican opponents.Read more...

Etsy is one of my favorite online shops for unique handmade gifts that you can’t get anywhere else. From candles to clothing, skincare products to Yaki wigs, housewares, you can spend hours searching through items created by independent Black sellers from every corner of the globe who showcase their creations on the…Read more...

Do y’all remember Miya Ponsetto, or the woman better known as “Soho Karen?” She’s the woman who in December 2020 was caught on video falsely accusing a 14-year-old Black teenager of stealing her cell phone at an Arlo Hotel in New York City. When in reality, she left it in an Uber.Read more...

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For many women, that time of the month can be downright miserable. And if you experience painful cramps, heavy bleeding and awful mood swings, that visit from Aunt Flo can completely take over your life. But Necole Kane of the popular lifestyle site xoNecole.com is here to tell you that those awful period symptoms are…Read more...

Idris Elba, a.k.a. People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018, is just one of those guys who’s effortlessly cool.Read more...