The Root

To look past whatever (unnecessary) emotions you may have regarding the Great Oscars Slap of 2022 is to realize that it was always silly to blame Jada Pinkett Smith for executing some type of mind control" over Will Smith, causing him to destroy all the good will he had with white people with one fell slap.Read more...

Updated at 9:50am PT on 11/15/2023: Jada Pinkett-Smith is responding to recent online rumors that her husband, Will Smith, allegedly slept with fellow actor Duane Martin back in the day.Read more...

A white inmate held in a Wisconsin correctional facility is headed back to trial once again - and not for the homicide(s) of which he was convicted. He's actually accused of catching another body - a Black inmate - seemingly as a result of trying a join white supremacist prison gang.

Losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can go through. It's pain you can never prepare for. When your life revolves around helping others deal with their challenges, it can add another level of pressure to an already unimaginable situation. For famed life coach Iyanla Vanzant-in addition to grief-the death of...Read more...

Officers in England have arrested a man Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson.Read more...

Beyonce's Renaissance tour is undeniably the best tour of Summer 2023. (And no, we will not acknowledge anyone who says it's Taylor Swift's Eras tour). But another tour is set to take over in the Summer of 2024, and this one is a blast from the past.Read more...

In Bimini, one of the 700 islands that make up the beautiful Bahamas, there are a handful of little known spots that will put a smile on any traveler's face that's looking to explore culturally significant sites. Though I was only on the island for a few days, in celebration of JetBlue's inaugural, first-ever direct...Read more...

In an all-new interview, Jada Pinkett-Smith is opening up about how her seven-year-long separation from hubby Will Smith actually worked" to help their marriage. (Can't say that for most people, but do tell, Jada.)Read more...

Rihanna once again shocked the world with a new look when she debuted her new waist-length blonde hair. She's one of those rare people who can make literally any style work. From the moment she came on the scene, she's been keeping us on our toes with her looks, so we're taking a trip down memory lane with some of our...Read more...

In a recent interview on the Zach Sang Show, Chloe Bailey opened up about how her experiences with cheating have inspired her music. And the question we all have is, Who would cheat on Chloe Bailey?"

After an escalating series of scandals, the Supreme Court finally issued a code of conduct. But will this new code actually do anything to curb the behavior of some of the more notorious justices (**cough cough** Justice Clarence Thomas), or will it just sit there collecting dust?Read more...

A California middle-school student was suspended for wearing what some consider blackface to a football game. The eight-grader has only been identified as J.A. to protect his privacy.Read more...

As if the Minneapolis Police Department's reputation couldn't take any more punches after the murder of George Floyd, the latest scrutiny they've come under is for the promotion of a cop accused of being racist. Now, the public is wondering if the department is really taking their whole police reform" vow seriously.

Tasha K just goes from one legal battle to another. After a longstanding feud with Cardi B, the popular YouTuber is now being sued by R. Kelly.Read more...

One of the longest standing urban legends in music is that Boyz II Men recorded the famous Chili's I Want My Baby Back" jingle. The R&B stars have clarified many times that it wasn't them, but now the group is adding a new wrinkle to the story: They have recorded a new version of the song, putting their own classic...Read more...

The days when it was taboo to criticize the lives of Supreme Court Justices are over. And it turns out there's plenty hiding in their closets. Whether it's Justice Clarence Thomas sending his relative to school on a Republican megadonor's dime or Justice Samuel Alito reportedly taking a lavish trip with a billionaire...Read more...

While Keke Palmer's presumed ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson is dealing with a restraining order and domestic abuse allegations, it appears trouble is trickling down the family tree as his older brother, Insecure star Sarunas Jackson, is now facing a legal battle of his own.Read more...

On Monday, hundreds of people marched to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center in Atlanta. The site, which has been infamously dubbed as Cop City, is located outside Atlanta city limits in DeKalb County.Read more...

The body of a young Black girl was found hidden in concrete and ditched in the woods of south Georgia in 1988. After 35 long years of investigating, authorities revealed not only her identity but also that of her parents who are now facing murder charges.Read more...

Well, I'll be damned. I guess Killer Mike wasn't teasing.Read more...

Just in case everyone was getting a little too comfortable with the current version of Rihanna, the always unpredictable music superstar had a surprise for her fans. On Thursday, she debuted new waist-length blonde hair that has the internet talking.Read more...

You know how they say, When in Rome, do as the Romans?" Well, when you're in the Bahamas, you have to do like the Bahamians and try their most famous local dish: conch salad.

Rev. Al Sharpton and the mother of Eric Garner have taken a stance against the Biden administration's pending plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The civil rights activists say the move could trigger a ripple effect of fatal police interactions.

Earlier this year, Dexter Wade was fatally struck by a police car in Jackson, Miss. and buried by the county unbeknownst to his family. Now, the authorities have yet again moved behind the family's back by exhuming his body without them knowing.Read more...

The yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop has led to some amazing, unforgettable moments. Unfortunately, it's brought a lot of rappers out of the woodwork to give their opinions on the genre and current artists. One person who felt the need to offer his thoughts on the subject is Xzibit. Yes, the guy...Read more...

Gospel singer Bobbi Storm was aboard a Delta flight Friday when she decided to use a moment when the seat belt signs were off to sing her single up and down the aisle of the plane.

In 1917, Cpl. Jesse Moore was one of the 110 Black soldiers dragged into what's now considered the nation's largest murder trial. His great-niece vowed to prove his innocence and that of his fellow soldiers...finally achieving her goal with the U.S. Army's latest decision to overturn all 110 the convictions.

Darius Jackson, presumed ex-boyfriend and father to 8-month-old son Leodis, with whom he shares with Keke Palmer, is speaking out amid accusations of domestic abuse.Read more...

One of the hardest parts of losing a loved one is sorting through their belongings and reliving cherished memories. Of course, you can also discover unknown secrets that probably should've stayed hidden. Actress Tisha Campbell found herself in this position as she recently went through her late father's possessions.

Senator Tim Scott is officially dropping out of the Republican primary race. When I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign," Scott said on Fox News. I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they're telling me...Read more...

Hazel Monet, daughter of R&B artist Victoria Monet, has become the youngest Grammy nominee in history.

While social media was (and is) still reeling from the shocking news about Keke Palmer and the domestic abuse allegations she raised against her presumably now ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, thanks to a new video posted by Keke's own brother, it now appears that Darius' bad behavior may run in the family. I'll explain.Read more...

After months of hype, Hip-Hop fans everywhere are eagerly anticipating the drop of rapper Lil Kim's memoir, The Queen Bee." Co-written by Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop" and with a foreword by fashion designer Marc Jacobs, the story of Kim's rise from her...Read more...

Marlon Wayans is still that wild child from White Chicks and The Wayans Bros., but over the last few years he's raised his artistic level, using his comedy to tackle serious issues. The actor/comedian recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to discuss his upcoming special, which features his most personal material...Read more...

For those of us who are true purveyors of this music shit, a life without concerts and music festivals is truly death in disguise. So with Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival rising from the ashes like a Phoenix this weekend in Los Angeles after a four-year hiatus, it not only signaled the auspicious return...Read more...

New York Mayor Eric Adams is a political figure who could generously be referred to as eccentric. But things appear to be taking a much more dramatic turn for the former cop turned big city mayor in recent weeks.

Two journalists came to a Memphis high school in anticipation of discussing their Pulitzer Prize-winning book, His Name is George Floyd." However, just days before the event, they say they were told not to even read from it because of an anti-CRT regulation enforced by the school.

Many of us grew up with Kel Mitchell, so he's more than one of our favorite actors, he feels like part of the family. When news broke that he was hospitalized on Tuesday, a lot of fans were worried about the Good Burger 2 star. On Wednesday, he confirmed the news, thanking fans and friends for their support, writing,...Read more...

Updated 03/14/2023 at 12:40 p.m. ET:

Warning! Spoilers for The Marvels ahead!

When all the ballots were tallied on Friday, St. Paul, Minnesota, voters had done something remarkable: They had elected the first all-female council in the city's history.Read more...

#FreeBritney was a phrase that resonated with me. The hashtag emerged years after Britney Spears was placed in a 13-year-long conservatorship and under the strict direction of her father. The idea of a woman being held captive, dehumanized, and stripped of her autonomy is one that could resonate with me as a Black...Read more...

I know I can't keep saying this every month, but y'all, November is coming in hot with great books by Black authors. From a picture book biography for kids about Oprah to a cookbook from Snoop Dogg and E-40 that shows all kinds of California love, believe me when I say there is something for everyone.

Warning: This article discusses photos of domestic violence.Read more...

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On Tuesday evening PEOPLE unveiled their 2023 pick for theanticipated Sexiest Man Alive, and it is Patrick Dempsey. Yes, he is an attractive white man, but we have so many Black men in mind for this title. There have only been five Black men to grace the cover in previous years: Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Idris...Read more...

Among the various streaming services, Hulu has one of the most interesting programming lineups. From documentaries, to TV comedies, to classic series, there's a lot for Black audiences to choose from. To help you narrow down your selections, we've gathered some of the streaming network's hidden gems, so you can append...Read more...

Republican Virginia State Rep. Tara Durant is officially headed to the state senate. But is the story that launched her political career all smoke and mirrors?

Some of our posts include links to retailers. If you buy something from clicking on one, G/O Media may earn a commission. Because editorial staff is independent of commerce, affiliate linking does not influence our editorial content.Most Black people grew up with a grandmother or auntie who wore house dresses on the regular. Whether she was fixing a meal, running to the store, or entertaining friends, her muumuu was the perfect one-piece solution. And while it wasn't always the most fashionable, it was certainly a comfortable alternative to her...Read more...

The digital footprint is no joke. Cops are entitled to personal media pages but they can't just hop on Beyonce's internet and post just anything. Any smidge of racism or bias will circulate Twitter faster they can blink their eyes. Yet, their personal Facebook pages, emails and even body camera footage has exposed...Read more...