The Root

There are two surefire ways to make grown men cry: either deprive them of a haircut for two months and counting—thanks, coronavirus!—or play Boyz II Men’s “A Song for Mama.”Read more...

It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years to the day since Rihanna launched Savage x Fenty, the lingerie leg of her now-multifaceted beauty and fashion empire. Of course, at the time of its 2018 debut, no one could’ve predicted we’d be spending quite this much time at home just two short years later, but as…Read more...

Following the highly successful Verzuz event featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, a particularly interesting recurring convo arose about Erykah’s impromptu hit song, “Tyrone.” Namely, the fact that the song’s popularity also resulted in a particular negative association with the titular character. Now, the…Read more...

I cried today. I’d like to say this is an uncommon occurrence, but as of late, not so much. Sometimes, it’s the isolation and uncertainty of quarantine that backs up on me. Other times, it’s what feels like an unceasing stream of bad news—like today, when I learned of the non-COVID-related death of a friend—that…Read more...

In today’s edition of “Well, that escalated quickly,” we have Zion Williamson, who went from sitting around his house twiddling his thumbs as he waits for the NBA season to resume to being accused of receiving improper benefits as a collegiate athlete.

Well, it only took 274 years for it to happen, but Princeton University recently named its first African American valedictorian. In late April, it was announced that operations research and financial engineering major Nicholas Johnson will be Princeton’s Class of 2020 valedictorian.Read more...

I’m gonna need this docuseries to stop being so damn good.

Is it shady to refuse to do your best friend a favor because of some arbitrary (and fabricated) rubric, like what Molly did to Issa on last week’s episode of Insecure? Yes! Yes, it is! Especially when said friend is desperate and her desperation is connected with work and/or money. Especially especially when you’re…Read more...

Given the new reality of our world with COVID-19’s takeover, many of our regular meetups with friends, family and loved ones are conducted over video chat apps and programs like FaceTime and Zoom.

Can you imagine being so amazing that years after you’ve left a job that you were completely over, your successor continues to bring up your name and does so even on Mother’s Day?!

Ever since the recent video surfaced of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery being ambushed and killed by Travis and Gregory McMichael (which occurred back in February), celebrities have attempted to use their respective platforms in various ways to either raise awareness or figure out the next and tangible steps toward action…Read more...

In the horror movie that has become the Trump administration, the president and Vice President Mike Pence are the jocks who believe there is nothing to be afraid of and walk into the haunted house to show everyone how crazy they’re being, never to be heard from again.

As tributes poured in last weekend for Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old unarmed black man whose Feb. 23 killing made international headlines when cellphone footage of his death was released last week, racial and trans justice advocates sought space to lift up the name of Nina Pop, a 28-year-old trans woman who was found…Read more...

This weekend, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu’s sisterly celebration of each other’s catalogs for the beloved Verzuz series soothed our spirits and souls. Fans of the Instagram Live event and shakin’ their asses are in for a treat, as the next battle will switch gears entirely, promising to bring the heat.

Jalaiah Harmon is in her bag, y’all.Read more...

Many of us posted our memories and sincerest condolences to social media in honor of the legendary musical figures who passed away over the weekend: Andre Harrell, Betty Wright and Little Richard. Little Richard, in particular, who died on Saturday, May 9 at the age of 87, is being remembered and revered as a pioneer…Read more...

A Kyoko 8" chef knife, a Game Pass BOGO deal, Leaf & Clay subscription, an Eufy robovac sale, a sleep sound machine, an Ella Paradis giveaway, Airpods 2, and more headline Monday’s best deals.

In today’s episode of, “Are...Are White People OK?”—a group of 11 anti-lockdown demonstrators walked into a Subway sandwich shop in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday carrying an array of weapons, ranging from pistols to whole ass rocket launchers.Read more...

Newly surfaced surveillance video showing Ahmaud Arbery at a construction site shortly before he was fatally shot confirms there was no reason for him to be pursued as a burglary suspect, Arbery’s family attorneys say.Read more...

“I’ll do something that makes me happy.”

Rabbit Lily Giveaway & Mystery Discount | Ella Paradis | Use code WOW

Former President Barack Obama derided the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in a recent phone call with alumni from his own administration, according to a report from Yahoo News, which obtained the audio.

Betty Wright, the R&B and soul singer known for classics like “Clean Up Woman” and “Tonight is the Night,” has died at 66 years old.

Incense was burning, Crown Royal was ready for the sipping, and even our forever first lady Michelle Obama was tuning in for the Verzuz battle between Neo Soul queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott last night on Instagram Live.

America has always dismissed and treated black women like we’re disposable, so I’ve dedicated my life to being one of the few people who will say yes to black mothers, no matter their circumstances. During this year’s coronavirus pandemic, that means bailing mothers out so they can be safe and providing for their…Read more...

A group of white people armed with weapons demanded entry into the home of a black woman and her son in Pender County, N.C., late last Sunday night and refused to leave.

Magnolia Earl has a lot to celebrate: She is the winner of Gerber’s 2020 Photo Search contest and also turns 1 year old today.

The man behind Uptown Records, the New York City-based label that launched the careers of acts like Diddy, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Heavy D has died at 59 years old.

“I should be better recognized today for sure,” Little Richard said in an August 2010 interview with the Wall Street Journal. “I am the beginning. I am the originator.”

Reebok Hush Track Jacket | $80Read more...

The mass closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of Americans losing their jobs. This has put people in a position where they’re unsure of how and when they’ll be able to pay their rent. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has provided some relief for those in his state.

While the release of Black Widow’s first standalone film has been delayed, fear not. There is still a way for you to get your fix of the Marvel Universe’s premier spy.

You know that “California compound” we kept hearing Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have been calling home since relocating to Los Angeles? Multiple reports say it’s the Beverly Hills mansion of none other than Tyler Perry, who apparently has more time to shop for big-ass cribs than halfway-realistic wigs.

After a series of violent arrest videos went viral this week, the NYPD finally released citywide data on social distancing arrests on Thursday night.Read more...

May 6 through May 12 is Nurses Week 2020, and if you weren’t in the habit of appreciating our vital healthcare workers before, no doubt you are now. In fact, the American Nurses Association has extended the week to the entire month of May—and it should be noted that 2020 was already designated as the World Health…Read more...

Amber Isaac was a little more than a month away from her delivery date, and thrilled about the prospect of finally meeting her first child, a baby boy named Elias. But one issue had her worried: in February, she learned her platelet count was low, a symptom of several conditions that could result in dangerous…Read more...

As my granny used to say, “We can’t have shit to ourselves.”Read more...

Welcome to May! Did you allow the force to be with you earlier this week?Read more...

As much as we love all things Charlie Wilson, one thing we don’t give him enough credit for is his longevity. Since The Gap Band’s arrival on the scene in the early 70s, he’s blessed us with hit after hit for decades. And with his latest single, “Forever Valentine,” Billboard reports that Uncle Charlie has become the…Read more...

It was supposed to be a moment in which Vice President Mike Pence showed that he’s a man of the people, that he’s not too good to roll up his sleeves and jump in and help. But, who are we kidding; Pence is about as compassionate as Thanos and about as caring as his boss.

What happens when you act like a lady and think like a savage?Read more...

In just 36 hours, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation managed to do something that other agencies failed to do over the past 74 days: Find enough probable cause to arrest Gregory and Travis McMichael and charge the father and son with murder and aggravated assault in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

Remember January 2020, when massive orange boxes full of Beyoncé’s relaunched Adidas x Ivy Park collection arrived in homes across Hollywood, inspiring impromptu celebrity photoshoots, immense envy, and a few imitators? Five months later, that major fashion moment feels worlds away as we shelter in place, our homes…Read more...

Kamala Harris may very well be the next vice president of America and she’s starting her silent bid to win the nomination off by winning the heart of Bernie Bros far and wide.

ESPN’s The Last Dance has been hailed by critics and sports fans alike for its thorough examination of one of the greatest dynasties in the history of professional sports: Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. But it’s also been criticized for its unfavorable depiction of former general manager Jerry Krause, who died in…Read more...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of that fact, the playlists this month will all be dedicated to it. Our first one, titled “Bring Me Peace,” is a list of songs from staffers of TheRoot.com that are used to bring a peaceful mental state.Read more...

Apparently, Princess Love hit it first…as in, she hit up the court to file the divorce papers, that is.Read more...

On Thursday, members of National Nurses United, the largest nurses’ union in the country, staged a protest just yards away from the White House, petitioning the government to support healthcare workers who are continuing to treat coronavirus patients without proper protective gear. Clad in red shirts and wearing face…Read more...

Raven Barrett is “paying homage to every black mom, one tee at a time.” The Charlotte, N.C.-based founder and “create[her]” of the black mom-focused online boutique Cocoiv has hit a sweet spot in capturing quintessential aspects of black motherhood; culling generations of wisdom, humor and tributes into an…Read more...

Although Michael Harriot is on vacation this week, he still agreed to write our weekly Clapback Mailbag. However, instead of responding to trolls, haters, disgruntled readers and anyone who has a question about the content on The Root, Michael submitted this open letter to Ahmaud Arbery.Read more...