LeBron James isn’t like other former mega stars who allowed their fame to keep them from talking about difficult issues. He understands the power he holds, and as such, he uses his platform to shed light on issues that plague the Black community. Accordingly, James has been vocal about police brutality and the…Read more...

In a country where Black lives are consistently under threat, it is in some ways understandable that many of us are weary of revisiting America’s original sin, chattel slavery. The legacy of that painful history remains so evident in our daily lives that ruminating on its brutal beginnings is often too much bear—but…Read more...

One of the few major awards ceremonies that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the Film Independent Spirit Awards happened on Thursday night, and we have some Black-ass winners to celebrate.Read more...

To call this an emotionally draining week would be a bit of an understatement, but luckily it’s Friday, which means I can put you on some good-ass games that won’t break the bank and will hopefully make the weekend a little better than the week. So let’s get to it, y’all!

In this most unconventional of awards seasons, we are proudly closing out our second annual celebration of Black creatives innovating the worlds of fashion, beauty and media, better known as The Glow Up 50. We’re uniquely proud of each of our honorees this year (and hope you’ve taken a moment to applaud all of them…Read more...

Neither Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict nor the unending wave of anti-police violence protests that have taken place in America has put an end to police shootings of Black people. In fact, not only are the shootings still happening, but they’re getting more bizarre. On Wednesday, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, a…Read more...

Being the only Black driver in NASCAR’s top racing series comes with more than its fair share of trials and tribulations.Read more...

Fun fact: Many diseases that are common in our community are highly treatable if found early. This is good news! However, for a myriad of reasons, getting men to go to the doctor can be difficult at best, and impossible at worst. Unfortunately, it often takes the loss of a loved one or a young celebrity to a…Read more...

America’s jails and prisons are full of men and women who have been imprisoned because of a cop’s lies.Read more...

Shock G, musician, rapper, producer and the eccentric frontman of legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground has died at the age of 57, the New York Times confirms.Read more...

A teacher in Texas is under fire after she sent a photo of her foot on a Black boy’s neck to the boy’s mother. The two women apparently know each other, and the photo was supposed to be a joke, but the boy’s father, his family, and the Texas school district didn’t find the humor in it.

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...