The Root

I was today years old when I discovered that Tucker Carlson is not Ben Shapiro’s father.

It’s been nearly 50 years since the debut of Lady Sings the Blues, which was a huge inspiration for writer-director-producer Lee Daniels—so much so, that he is now directing his own biographical drama about the iconic Billie Holiday, The United States vs. Billie Holiday.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was competing only with Rihanna for forcing Black America to hold its collective breath with anticipation. Unlike Rihanna, it wasn’t as if Biden couldn’t put out a new album because he was busy shutting the makeup and beauty world down with a…Read more...

“Art is the foundation of any movement,” is how director Ava DuVernay began our interview as we unpacked the transformative power of art—both in its ability to uplift and destroy.Read more...

It’s another Big Beauty Tuesday here at The Glow Up, and instead of our regularly scheduled weekly video, we hope you’re indulging in the incredible conversations going on in our first-ever The Root Institute, taking place every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of August.Read more...

When Mathew and Tina Knowles divorced in 2011, it was more than just a high-profile breakup. It was the dissolution of a family dynasty; one which birthed not only two beautiful and talented daughters but one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Destiny’s Child (which released their last album in 2006), of…Read more...

It always bothers me when Black people get praised for remaining calm and cordial while dealing with the aggression of racist white people. One reason it’s so bothersome is that it’s far more satisfying to watch a racist get folded up after choosing the wrong negro to try their best KKK Grand Wizard impersonation on,…Read more...

This is a new world we are living in.

NBCUniversal’s new streaming platform Peacock just announced some new comedy content that is very relevant and needed during these somber times. Amber Ruffin will be hosting The Amber Ruffin Show and Larry Wilmore will host the Untitled Larry Wilmore Show as part of the streaming platform’s weekly topical late-night…Read more...

As evidenced by the 2020 uprisings, it is imperative that we take a stand against racial injustice. Across the country (and the world, for that matter), we are seeing civilians, celebrities and corporations (though we question the intentions of some of these companies) emphatically say “Black lives matter.”Read more...

Outside of being one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, Tessa Thompson is an advocate for Black lives and social justice. The Creed star tells Porter magazine in a new cover story that she hopes to continue to use her platform to bring awareness to the larger issues occurring in the industry and throughout…Read more...

As I’m sure you’re all familiar with by now...Donald Trump lives to lie.Read more...

A visionary film director with an activist’s spirit, Ava DuVernay makes art that is rooted in her conscious. From limited miniseries like When They See Us, to TV dramas like Queen Sugar, to summer blockbusters like A Wrinkle in Time and documentaries, like The 13th, DuVernay crafts narratives with her people—and their…Read more...

Everything is theirs.Read more...

Cardi B is as much of an open book as ever for her September Elle cover story. The 27-year-old rap sensation discusses her forthcoming album, getting Donald Trump out of office and much more for the feature, which was released Tuesday.Read more...

The once-promising career of running back Derrius Guice is in serious trouble.Read more...

So a racist white man drove his car through a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters and didn’t stop until he ran smack into the consequences of his own actions.Read more...

In Trump’s world, facts don’t matter, common sense is a liability and all of his staffers are required to act as if human skin can just naturally turn the color of a carrot without assistance.

Lee Daniels has something to say.Read more...

Rabbit Lily Vibrator | $36 | Ella Paradis | Promo code WELL

2020 is unprecedented-ish.Read more...

Beauty influencer, YouTube sensation and 2019 Root 100 honoree Jackie Aina will be taking part in a special feature-length documentary film focused on highlighting Black women who are creating social change through the beauty world.

To put it bluntly, being a gamer can be expensive as shit. Between dropping hundreds of dollars on hardware and having to spend upwards of $60 on the latest games, blasting fools, or orbital striking them as The Root’s news editor Monique Judge is fond of doing in GTA Online, can sometimes put the hurt on the wallet.…Read more...

In Louisiana, a Black veteran currently serving life without parole over a $30 weed sale is set to be released.Read more...

Two police officers in Georgia are on administrative leave after firing shots at a car full of minors.Read more...

This wasn’t supposed to be remotely hard; in fact, the groundwork had already been laid down. It works like this: Black women are the backbone of the Democratic party and they needed to be rewarded with a vice-presidential pick in this upcoming election.

Black Lives Matter’s past and present were both represented on Saturday in Kentucky when the father of Michael Brown attended and spoke at a memorial for Breonna Taylor. The protest also happened to be on the eve of the six-year anniversary of the day Brown was fatally shot by a Ferguson, Mo., police officer in 2014.Read more...

A major seat at fashion’s proverbial table has just been filled; on Thursday, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the promotion of former Chief Administrative and Financial Officer CaSandra Diggs to president of the famed fashion organization.Read more...

If you’ve been on Twitter for a good amount of time, you’ve probably seen whole-ass relationships, babies, careers, projects and deals materialize from Twitter. “It’s not just Twitter,” isn’t just a saying—it’s reality.Read more...

This weekend was a big one for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. The new dynamic duo in town released their sexy rap song “WAP” at midnight on Friday, which came complete with a steamy, JaQuel Knight-choreographed music video. As of Monday, the visual—which features splits, tigers and cameos from Normani, Mulatto and…Read more...

1. “Too Close” Next

Mere days after UConn became the first major college football program to graciously bow out of playing this season due to the coronavirus, the Mid-American Conference—yes, an entire conference—will follow suit.Read more...

“Everybody hates cops until they need one.” - Wypipo proverb.Read more...

Prior to COVID, I’d have all of these speaking gigs and book events all across the country; shit was sweet.Read more...

The Apollo Theater is a church.Read more...

Chaos erupted in downtown Chicago overnight as hundreds of people took to the streets and dozens of stores, banks and other businesses were broken into and looted. It’s unclear what caused the unrest, but many believe it was connected to a standoff between Chicago police officers and community members following a…Read more...

Finally, a Public School we’re actually excited about returning to! Public School NY designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow have come up with two fashionable new ways to support some incredible initiatives—with no social distancing required. As reported by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the duo…Read more...

Jurnee Smollett is starring in quite a timely upcoming project on HBO—the much-anticipated Lovecraft Country. The series, which is a period piece, is especially relevant since we’re following its protagonists on the “quest to disrupt white supremacy,” which is both intriguing and frustrating. We’re still fighting this…Read more...

There is a trend with ex-employees of the Trump administration and it looks like this: Bash the president that they once happily served—which is why it will always be fuck all of them. Fuck Omarosa. (Where is she, anyway?) Fuck John Kelly, James Mattis, John Bolton, H.R. McMaster, and most spectacularly, Anthony…Read more...

We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds.

I know, I know. I wanted to see Roy Jones Jr.—or at least what’s left of him—get his ass whooped too.Read more...

‘Tis the season for a summit! As you hopefully know by now, this week marks the second week of The Root’s monthlong inaugural Root Institute, our absolutely free to the public virtual conference taking place each Tuesday and Thursday through August.Read more...

A good troll has to work hard to sell it or else it doesn’t work. And Trump has been trolling for years. In fact, he’s been trolling since Obama was in office, but I’ve mentioned this to several friends at different times: I don’t really know where Trump stands on any issue because he’s, well, a troll.

Atlanta-bred emcee 2Chainz is as serious about the upcoming presidential election as we all should be and wants to turn voting skeptics into believers during this incredibly crucial year.Read more...

Reusable Face Masks | $25 | Nordstrom Rack

Zoë Kravitz’s latest TV show may be canceled, but you can’t cancel her outspoken nature.Read more...

A survey of employees at Veterans Affairs has revealed that nearly 80 percent of them believe that racism is a serious and widespread problem within the government agency.

Democrats are calling out the head of the U.S. Postal Service, who is a donor to the Trump Campaign and chair of the finance committee for the GOP convention, even as he continues to barrel forward with a series of changes that have been majorly slowing down mail ahead of the 2020 elections.

It’s apparently open season on Black people in America, and that includes our children.

A cheap pack of disposable masks, ComiXology’s sale on comics starring Harley Quinn, JACHS NY blazers, a nice foot scrubber, and more are some of Sunday’s best deals.