The Root

I don’t know about you but when I pray to God about my career trajectory, I often ask: “Lord, let me be as booked and busy as MC Lyte or Keke Palmer. Amen”Read more...

Happy Earth Day, y’all! It is on this sunny (well, sunny in Brooklyn, at least) day that we honor our mother—by going to plant a tree, frolic in a park, that sort of thing. However, if you’re not trying to do those things, there are still ways to support the environment—and a few Black-owned businesses to boot.Read more...

In our quest to break generational curses, more and more Black folks are going to therapy and embracing financial literacy. I personally have made both a priority during the pandemic—I’m happy to report that my credit score no longer resembles my shoe size—and Black-owned finance app Goalsetter has positioned itself…Read more...

An Ohio high school district is probably not under fire after a recent history assignment helped students explore the subject “How to be a pro racist.”

I know this may come as a surprise, but as a rule, I don’t really respect cops. Growing up reading a lot of young adult sci-fi books and watching a lot of Star Wars has made me generally detest authoritarian assholes who gleefully celebrate and enact state violence. Cops, by and large, tend to fit that description,…Read more...

Black women have long been the most important voters for Democrats, and their electoral power has been crucial at the presidential level—just ask former President Barack Obama.Read more...

Last week, The Root reported that 17-year-old Anthony J. Thompson Jr. was shot and killed by police officers in the restroom of Austin-East Magnet High School in Knoxville, Tenn., after police responded to a call about a “possibly armed” student.Read more...

Further proving that cops just straight-up don’t see angry, vitriolic white people as a threat, it was revealed during a committee hearing regarding the Capitol riot that a Capitol Police officer allegedly told “all outside units” to only monitor for anti-Trump protesters on the morning of Jan. 6.

No doubt you’ve recently heard a lot of talk about the immune system, and hopefully, you’ve been listening. After all, your immune system defends you against most minor illnesses, and boosts your overall health. The good news is that there are some small simple steps you can take to keep your immune system fighting…Read more...

Years ago, writer Sarah Hagi tweeted, “Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.”Read more...

I’m not particularly fond of social media. How many goddamn selfies can you narcissists take? However, I’m acutely aware that a strong following can be leveraged into lucrative branding opportunities. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with your fans and audience on a deeper level or amplify important news and…Read more...

A Black man in North Carolina was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy who was delivering a warrant. In other words, it’s a Thursday in America.Read more...

It’s no small thing to have an award named in your honor, but the designer known as Dapper Dan is no small entity—in fact, he’s larger than life. The journalist turned self-taught couturier born Daniel Day is the epitome of a renaissance man, staging his own reinvention more than once in his 76 years on Earth, and…Read more...

This weekend, fans of the late Earl “DMX” Simmons will have our own Ruff Ryders’ role—to honor the life and legacy of a hip-hop great.Read more...

There is no doubt that when it comes to the task of achieving excellence in the film industry, Black Hollywood has always understood the assignment.

Democrats are in control of both chambers of Congress and are expected to pass legislation that would move Washington, D.C., one step closer to achieving the ever-evasive status of statehood.Read more...

In today’s episode of White People Who Fucked Around and Subsequently Found Out, a Louisiana woman went from being a school bus driver to joining the United Wypipo Federation of You Bout to Lose Your Job all because she couldn’t keep her insensitive George Floyd comments in the drafts of her caucasity-filled mind and…Read more...

At this point I’m such a Florida news historian that you can tell me news that happened anywhere around the world, and I can tell you which event happened in Florida, the armpit of America.

A jury found Derek Chauvin guilty. He is going to jail.Read more...

Even though athletes won’t be sanctioned for raising their fists or kneeling during the national anthem at the Olympic trials, once the Olympics actually begin on July 23, they’ll be subject to discipline should they decide to do so, according to The Guardian and NBC Sports.

The Columbus, Ohio police officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant has been identified as Nicholas Reardon.

The National Museum of African American Music has chosen this year’s recipients of its Rhapsody & Rhythm Awards, and the selection is elite! On Wednesday, NMAAM announced it will honor Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, per Billboard.Read more...

You know how I know cops don’t actually give a shit about law and order? A 17-year-old who (allegedly) shot and killed two people has become a cause célèbre for law enforcement and assholes nationwide. Common sense would tell you that supporting an alleged homicide suspect is probably something a cop shouldn’t do,…Read more...

Finally, it’s happening to us right in front of our faces!

On Tuesday, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd. It was a small victory. It was justice, I guess. It was, for the most part, a single instance of the kind of accountability that desperately needs to be normalized.Read more...

I can’t imagine how hard it must be for Black students trying to navigate today’s world. If they’re not worrying about getting shot up at school, then they’re worrying about a cop shooting them on the way home. Considering all that Minneapolis has gone through with regards to police violence over the last 11 months,…Read more...

Sistaaahhs, Whoopi Goldberg and Naomi Campbell are on my mind and I’ve got these two amazing covers to thank for it.Read more...

White people are losing their fucking minds. Should you need further evidence of that fact, well, a grown-ass man felt the need to yell racial slurs at a group of Black kids and attempt to run them over with his truck.

One thing is for sure, two things are for certain: Spotify’s Jemele Hill Is Unbothered isn’t always what we expect, but it’s always a treat.Read more...

While the twentieth day of the fourth month holds no special significance for anyone outside of the incense industry (for some reason, it always smells like something’s burning; maybe it’s just me), Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Randall Woodfin gave residents a reason to celebrate when he officially pardoned anyone…Read more...

Across the country, people suffering from mental health crises often find themselves confronted with an armed police officer instead of a mental health professional who is better suited to support them. Oakland City Council is set to approve a pilot program in which 911 operators can direct trained civilians to handle…Read more...

When TV host and comedian Eric Andre stepped foot into the Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport airport to catch his flight, I’m sure the last thing he planned for was to get harassed by two Atlanta Police while literally being steps away from his departing flight, but that’s exactly what happened.Read more...

As is often the case after Verzuz “battles,” folks get to ruminating on potential matchups, etc. Also, I’m folks; I do this after every Verzuz. Last night’s love-fest featured Method Man and Redman, two staples of 90s era hip-hop, though Method Man has become quite the actor, and Redman is, well, still one of the most…Read more...

Less than a day after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a civil investigation into police practices in Minneapolis.Read more...

Sometimes, I fantasize about writers’ rooms.Read more...

Derek Chauvin, the former Minnesota cop who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes until he became unresponsive and later died, was found guilty of murder Tuesday. Chauvin’s bail was revoked, and he was immediately taken into custody.

I never want to be so woke that I’m unwilling to celebrate small victories.Read more...

My Moms once taught me that if I don’t have anything nice to say about people like Talib Kweli—who has “shove too many syllables into a sentence” and “harass Black women” circled on his daily agenda—then don’t say anything at all.Read more...

Black style is legendary, and as we celebrate the second year of The Glow Up 50, we’d be remiss not to acknowledge the living legends in our midst. This year, Dame Pat McGrath was honored with our annual Dap Award (so named for the iconic Dapper Dan), but she was in great company, as our committee heartily debated two…Read more...

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of the camera shutter clicking as we transition to the next scene in Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal—actually, it’s the sound of transition for the real-life inspiration behind Olivia Pope, author and crisis management expert Judy Smith because she is parting ways with her clients at the…Read more...

Though the Grammys took place back in March, Clive Davis is keeping the celebratory spirit alive by pressing forward with the second part of his annual “Pre-Grammy Gala.”

Tuesday, Black people celebrated the conviction of Derek Chauvin as jubilantly as they’d rejoice in their favorite sports team winning a championship. They know they are the underdogs. The rules are rigged against them, the opponent has outsized resources and always seems to be playing on home court, but yesterday…Read more...

Integrity comes at a steep price; you don’t become a billionaire by being morally sound. Diddy can’t even drive his kids to school without somebody reminding him that he robbed every artist on Bad Boy, and I would imagine that NFL ownership—where individual net worths can soar as high as $13 billion—features a…Read more...

I’m not sure why some white people hate justice so much when it comes to Black death, but alas, here we are in an America in which Macklemore won the Best Rap Album Grammy over Kendrick Lamar.

Another day, another white supremacist putting Black lives in danger only to be treated as less than a terrorist.Read more...

Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges for the murder of George Floyd.Read more...

There are women who paved the way in fashion, and there are trailblazers—and then, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll encounter fashion’s “Oracle,” Bethann Hardison. A model, advocate, agent and activist, Hardison is a force of nature who has worked tirelessly to change the way the industry engages with race and ensure…Read more...

A police officer in Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant late Tuesday afternoon, around the same time the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd was being read.

Happy 4/20 folks! As you hopefully know, I’m the resident gamer person at The Root. In addition to playing quite a few video games, I also smoke quite a bit of weed. For obvious reasons, the last year saw me engaging in quite a bit of both those things. So, on this most sacred of holidays, I come before you with some…Read more...

In case you haven’t heard Spotify’s 10 Songs That Made Me, you’re missing your blessing. In their latest Music + Talk show, they’ve created a unique listening experience by allowing influential tastemakers and creatives to reflect on the 10 songs that’ve left a tremendous impact on each of their lives.Read more...