15 Scary Black Folk Legends For Halloween, Black Celebs Who Attended HBCU Homecomings, MTV’s Ananda Lewis Has Sad Health News, Angel Reese Addresses Her WNBA Salary and Other News From the Culture This Week

A collection of The Root’s best posts of the week in culture

More Black Celebs Who Have Attended HBCU Homecomings Throughout the Years

LaLa Anthony; Drake; Ludacris and Taraji P. Henson Photo: Getty Images Brian Stukes; Prince Williams; Mark Gail

If it’s one thing Homecoming at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will do is bring out the stars! Since the early days of Homecoming season, celebrities have always found their way to HBCU campuses for great times and even better performances. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Two alligators bang on a door at a Florida home and social media is going crazy

Bath & Body Works is in the Hot Seat for a Design Some Are Calling Racist, But is It?

HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Customers shop at a Bath & Body Works store on June 12, 2024 in Hayward, California. Photo: Getty Images Justin Sullivan

Bath & Body Works is in the hot seat this week after a design for a new candle went all the way wrong. The chain, known for its yummy-smelling home and body fragrances, is being called out for the packaging of their “Snowed In” candle, which some say looks eerily similar to a reminder of this country’s racist past. – Angela Johnson Read More

Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis Reveals Heartbreaking Update in Her Cancer Battle

Photo: Getty Images Paul Archuleta

For the past four years, fans of Ananda Lewis have been following her cancer journey. And although some have questioned her course of treatment, everyone has hoped for the best possible outcome. – Angela Johnson Read More

Black Celeb Women Who Are the Bread Winners in Their Relationships

Photo: Getty Images Prince Wiliams; Kevin Mazur; Stephane Cardinale

In 2024, women are taking over all the way from classrooms to board rooms. And despite the fact that society has made tremendous progress past traditional gender roles in relationships, we all know money matters. In the case of several of our favorite celebrity couples, Black women are taking the lead and holding down the household while also breaking boundaries in their respective fields. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Angel Reese Says Her WNBA Salary Would Have Her Broke-Broke Out Here

Photo: Getty Images Geoff Stellfox

As much as we’ve enjoyed the thrilling WNBA Finals competition between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, it also means the history-making 2024 WNBA season is coming to an end. For a lot of players, that means moving on to their offseason jobs. Yes, WNBA players typically have second jobs in the offseason, because the majority of players — the ones who aren’t stars — need the money. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Racist Graffiti Was Scrawled On the Walls of a Small Black Texas Church, Then It Was Burned to the Ground

Screenshot: KXII-TV

It’s a sad tale that’s been repeated too many times before: a Black church becomes a target of racial violence. More than 200 years after the first recorded Black church was burned to the ground by white supremacists, another church community in Texas is picking up the crisp remnants of their spiritual home after it was set ablaze in 2024. – Phenix S Halley Read More

The Very Surprising Story of How Jay-Z Became Worth $2.5 Billion

Photo: Getty Images Daniela Porcelli

Since becoming Hip-Hop’s first ever billionaire in 2019, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has more than doubled his fortune. After transforming his musical career to one of the most profitable financial ventures in recent history, even fellow billionaire Warren Buffet said Jay-Z is “the guy to learn from.” – Phenix S Halley Read More

Oh No! Serena Williams Reveals Health Update About Her Scary Procedure

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Jerocki

Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time, but even she has to slow down when a health crisis hits. On Tuesday, the tennis champion shocked fans with a TikTok video that revealed she’s been dealing with a cyst on her neck. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Wait, What! This HBCU President Created a Shoe That Literally Grows Over Time

Image: Getty Images [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Dimitrios Kambouris; @kustoo on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

Dr. D’Wayne Edwards is known for being an innovative force within the design world. With over 32 years of experience in the footwear industry and as the founder and president of the only design-focused Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, Edwards continues to be a top runner in the sneaker industry. – Phenix S Halley Read More

15 Black Folklore Stories to Know Ahead of Spooky Season

Photo: Getty Images David Wall

If you’re Black, you’ve been told by someone in your family about some haint, a reappearing phantom or a folktale that left you with chills. In honor of spooky season coming, it’s only right for us to recount some of our Black favorites. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Popular Reality Shows That Need Tell-All  Documentaries ASAP!

Popular Reality Shows That Need Tell-All Documentaries ASAP!

Audiences may be gagged at the new ‘America’s Next Top Model’ documentary, but there are a handful of other shows that deserve to get the layers peeled back too! …
Exclusive: Jennifer Hudson, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

Exclusive: Jennifer Hudson, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
How this New Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Is Great News for Black Consumers Badly Hit by Trump's Economic Policy

How this New Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Is Great News for Black Consumers Badly Hit by Trump’s Economic Policy

After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s blanket tariff policy, Black consumers– the most impacted Americans– are picking up the pieces …
Naomi Campbell is In the Epstein Files Hundreds of Times -- Here's Her Response to That

Naomi Campbell is In the Epstein Files Hundreds of Times — Here’s Her Response to That

Supermodel Naomi Campbell’s name appeared in nearly 300 documents of the Epstein Files. And now, she’s speaking out about it! …
Trump Calls Out Obama For Talking About Aliens...Only to, Um, Do This

Trump Calls Out Obama For Talking About Aliens…Only to, Um, Do This

Donald Trump calls out Obama for making a “big mistake” by talking about aliens… but then decides to release government files on UFOs …
Inside Frederick Douglass' Final Home in DC

Inside Frederick Douglass’ Final Home in DC

Take a peek inside the home of one of the greatest African American men in history, Frederick Douglass …
Why <i>That</i> Pepsi Incident From Over 40 Years Ago is Blamed for Michael Jackson's Downfall

Why That Pepsi Incident From Over 40 Years Ago is Blamed for Michael Jackson’s Downfall

TMZ’s new documentary takes a deeper look at Michael Jackson’s infamous 1984 Pepsi commercial fire and the possible link it had to his demise years later …
Who NYT Says Is Facing the Biggest Fallout From The Epstein Files

Who NYT Says Is Facing the Biggest Fallout From The Epstein Files

The New York Times is tracking and documenting the names of those caught up in the fallout of the Epstein Files. Here are the ones you should know …
Activist Ms. Shirley's Cause of Death FINALLY Revealed

Activist Ms. Shirley’s Cause of Death FINALLY Revealed

News of Ms. Shirley’s cause of death comes in the middle of American Heart Month, the February initiative raising awareness about cardiovascular disease …
Former Prince Andrew in Cuffs: Is This the Official End of White Privilege?

Former Prince Andrew in Cuffs: Is This the Official End of White Privilege?

Prince Andrew is the first notable figure arrested after the Epstein files were released, and the potential fallout is probably lot worse than you think …
Tyra Banks Is 'ANTM's' Biggest Villain, But Jay, Miss J and Nigel Need to Be Called Out

Tyra Banks Is ‘ANTM’s’ Biggest Villain, But Jay, Miss J and Nigel Need to Be Called Out

America’s Next Top Model judges Miss J, Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker all played a role in the show’s unhealthy ecosystem, and they should be called out, too! …
Huge New Development in Case of Florida Father Whose Unlicensed Teen Killed 4 People After He Let Him Drive

Huge New Development in Case of Florida Father Whose Unlicensed Teen Killed 4 People After He Let Him Drive

A Florida father learned his fate after his unlicensed teen ran a stop sign and slammed into a car— killing a grandmother and her 3 grandchildren …
WATCH: Celeb Publicist Records the Scary Passenger Incident That Forced His Delta Flight to Turn Around

WATCH: Celeb Publicist Records the Scary Passenger Incident That Forced His Delta Flight to Turn Around

A passenger tried to enter the cockpit of a Delta flight before passengers jumped on him to subdue him for law enforcement. And it’s all on video …
Black Twitter is Conflicted About This Black Grandmother Praising Trump at a BHM Celebration

Black Twitter is Conflicted About This Black Grandmother Praising Trump at a BHM Celebration

Two weeks after Trump posted a racist video of Obama, one Black D.C. grandmother told America how Trump did for her what Democrats refused …
Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Trump-Loyal Attorney General

Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Trump-Loyal Attorney General

Here’s everything to know about the life and career of AG Pam Bondi, as she continues to face calls to resign over the Epstein files …

Rev. William Barber On Why Jesse Jackson Didn’t Become President, But Still Won

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber explains how Jackson’s historic presidential runs were victories for democracy …
MLB Union Leader Resigns Over 'Inappropriate Relationship' Similar to Sherrone Moore

MLB Union Leader Resigns Over ‘Inappropriate Relationship’ Similar to Sherrone Moore

When the alleged scandal was revealed, Clark resigned as executive director of the MLBPA after serving for more than 12 years …
Exclusive: Bakari Sellers Reflects on the Passing of 'Uncle' Rev. Jesse Jackson

Exclusive: Bakari Sellers Reflects on the Passing of ‘Uncle’ Rev. Jesse Jackson

CNN political contributor Bakari Sellers shared his thoughts on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson exclusively with The Root …
The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé's Upcoming 'Act III' Album

The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé’s Upcoming ‘Act III’ Album

Thanks to Beyoncé’s recent photo dump on social media, many fans are pointing to it as potential clues for her next musical act. Let’s get into all of the best and worst breakdowns! …
Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His 'Due Process May Have Been Violated'

Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His ‘Due Process May Have Been Violated’

Sherrone Moore could have charges dropped if judge finds out his due process was violated. Court hearing scheduled for March 2 …