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The Sad, Bitter Story of Henrietta Lacks and Her Cancer Cells
In 1951, white doctors took her cervical cells and used them to revolutionize DNA research.
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Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
A smart approach to finances can narrow the economic disparities between black and white women.
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Marion Jones' WNBA Comeback
She'll never live down her past, but the disgraced Olympic track star can overcome it.
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See Black Leaders Through the Looking Glass
From a parallel universe, the Vox Africanus debuts
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Obama and the 'Nuclear Option' in Congress
In the Cold War over health care reform, the Democrats could end up paying a high price for ruling by “reconciliation.”
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GALLERY: The Root's Favorite Female Anthems
To celebrate Women's History Month, The Root staff compiled our favorite empowering anthems. Some tracks make us tap our feet, some make us pump our fists and others make us cry. But every song is worth hearing. Take a look ... and listen.
Torii Hunter Was Right About Baseball
Why his comments about black and Latino representation were on the mark, if badly worded.
Detroit School Leader Otis Mathis Can't Write
With the city’s kids scoring dead last on national tests, isn’t that a problem?
The Story Behind the Alarming Herpes Numbers
A report that nearly half of black women are infected is less about conspiracy and more a reflection of the shortage of black men.
The Root Interview: Spike Lee, Part Two
The director talks about a missed opportunity with David Simon’s Treme, gentrification and why so many black politicians are in trouble.
Your Take: Job Creation Begins at Home
Congress should focus on green jobs to get past the gridlock, says the CEO of Green for All.
The Road From Selma to Montgomery, Revisited
Taking an emotional trip with civil rights icons and their loved ones, 45 years after the marches that spurred equal voting rights.
Letter From Sierra Leone
An American journalist in West Africa discovers that the legacy of slavery still divides us from our African cousins.
The Root Interview: Spike Lee
The filmmaker talks all things NOLA, from former Mayor C. Ray Nagin to the Super Bowl win to his latest documentary about Katrina, “If God is Willing and The Creek Don’t Rise."
Tomorrow's Crop of Black Women Leaders
In Part 3 of our Women’s History Month series on leadership, why the future looks brighter.
Why Are There So Few Black Women Politicians?
In Part 2 of our Women’s History Month series on leadership, the real reasons so few are elected.
First Same-Sex Marriages Celebrated in D.C.
Mayor Adrian Fenty to attend the weddings of three African-American couples.
The Root Interview: Carol Moseley Braun
If anyone has a notion of what it takes for black women to make it in politics, this former presidential candidate does.
The Root Interview: The Former President of Ghana Speaks Bluntly
Jerry Rawlings says he’s disappointed in many African leaders and in the failure of African countries to work together more closely.
Nearly Half of Black Women Have Herpes
Find out why the government thinks this group has been hit so hard by the disease.
'Freaknik: The Musical': Bourgies, Beware
The ultimate black spring break fling of the ‘80s and ‘90s comes to cable, with Auto-Tune.
How Black Women Became Powerful
In Part 1 of our Women’s History Month series on leadership, a look at the roots of female empowerment.
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Black Leaders Through the Looking Glass
From a parallel universe, the Vox Africanus debuts
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The Return of Blackface
Recent plays have resorted to a device that harks back to the days of the minstrel shows, says Broadway and Me blogger, Janice C. Simpson.
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Fugees Video Director Faces Unspeakable Charges
Aswad Ayinde charged with impregnating daughters in bizarre end-of-days plot
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Smoking Gun, Gawker PWN Yele and Wyclef Again
It appears Clef paid a gal pal $105,000 from Yele funds.
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James Brown's Body Has Not Been Moved from Crypt
One of his daughter's said this was the case. TMZ says this is not the case.
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Leader Defends Agency Response to Toyota Fiasco
David Strickland told a House subcommittee that the findings of an NHTSA investigation did not warrant a recall.
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Pardons Sought for Those Who Help Slaves Escape to Freedom
A group is working to have Kentucky governor clear the names of the men and women who were convicted for this act.
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Obama Trial Gets Underway
Trial for what you ask? Being a long-legged mack daddy CIA operative, of course.
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Bloggingheads: The Crisis in Nigeria
The Root's Dayo Olopade and Eliza Griswold discuss violence, religion, nationalism and youth in Nigeria.
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Check It Out: 10-Year-Old Lobbies for Health Care Reform
His mom died because she lost her insurance and he doesn't want to see that happen to others.
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Monica Conyers Receives 3 Years for Guilty Plea, Looking to Appeal
The Detroit city councilwoman and wife of the U.S. Congressman was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to bribery charges.
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Nicholas Kristof Wants Teach for America and the Peace Corps to Have a Baby
Kristof is proposing a one-year teaching program which places students in developing countries all over the world.
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Oldest African American Dies at 113 in Detroit
Daisy Bailey credited Bourbon and veggies are her secret to longevity.
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Read/React: "Durbin's Bid to End Sentencing Disparity"
Dick Durbin's in a fight to end sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
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Pioneering South Carolina Legislator Freezes to Death Alone
Juanita Goggins was discovered in her home after a neighbor reported not seeing her lights on for some time.
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Af-Am Museum Gets 39 Harriet Tubman Artifacts
Collector and author Charles L. Blockson donated the items to the National Museum of African American History and Culture's collection.
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Dear Dan, "Obama" and "Watermelon" Rarely Works Out Well
Dan Rather upsets some with watermelon reference when discussing the president's approach on health care.
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Chuck Norris is Adorable, Thinks Obama Should Face Impeachment
The martial artist thinks Obama should be impeached if he enforces the Copenhagen Agreement.
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