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The Village: Behind Every Issa Rae Is a Felicia Leatherwood Slaying Her Natural Tresses
If you have eyes and working salivary glands, chances are you’ve drooled over Issa Rae’s many natural hairstyles, in everything from Insecure to CoverGirl ads. “With Issa, she just lets me create,” says the self-proclaimed natural-hair whisperer herself: Felicia Leatherwood. “She just, she’s like my beautiful black Barbie because she sits there and she trusts…
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Watch: Kwanzaa Is Like Christmas, Just 7 Times Blacker
This video originally appeared on Dec. 19, 2017. Have you ever looked at your kids and thought their little narrow behinds could show more appreciation for the countless Jordans and Apple products you buy them for Christmas? Have you been looking for seven ways to be a better person as you usher in the new…
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Judge of Characters: Black Women Make the World a Better Place
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Trust black women—well, except Omarosa Manigault Newman and Stacey Dash. But in general, black women will not steer you wrong. Ninety-eight percent of black women voted for Doug Jones in Alabama, and yes, black men showed up at the polls, too, against Roy Moore, with 93…
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Tony Rock on All Def Comedy, Sexual Assault Jokes and Why He Won’t Shy Away From Any Topic
Tony Rock’s name is synonymous with comedy. In fact, the Rock family name represents a small chunk of black comedy; two of his brothers, Chris Rock and Jordan Rock, also have the kind of humor that’s made them famous. And while they all chose the same career, each of their brands of comedy is different,…
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Watch: Jenifer Lewis, the Undisputed ‘Mother of Black Hollywood,’ Tackles Mental Health Head-On
Mental health is a hefty topic of conversation, and oftentimes in the black community, it’s something that’s swept under the rug or prayed away. Living legend Jenifer Lewis says there is no shame in taking care of your mental health. Lewis has bipolar disorder, and in her new book, The Mother of Black Hollywood, she…
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Judge of Characters: What Happens When You Silence the Silence Breakers?
Time magazine shocked us all when it named several women and men who spoke out against sexual assault as its Person of the Year. The editors labeled the brave souls “the Silence Breakers.” But in addition to noticing Taylor Swift on the cover, I couldn’t help seeing that the cover lacked Tarana Burke, the founder…
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Emil Wilbekin’s Native Son Will Change the Way Black Gay Men Are Represented in the Media
Emil Wilbekin is a superstar journalist who intends to change the way black gay men are perceived and received in mainstream media. He intends to shift culture through his initiative, Native Son, which is inspired by James Baldwin’s Notes of a Native Son. “Mr. Baldwin talks a lot about social justice, the black church, family,…
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Meet ‘Angela,’ One of the 1st Slaves to Arrive in America
What if we could put names and faces to the Africans who were brought over to America as slaves in 1619? Would it humanize slavery instead of making it a category in American history that people love to conveniently forget or urge black folks to “just get over it”? The first Africans arrived at Point…
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Judge of Characters: The Beauty of Black Royalty
Most of Black Twitter, if not all of it, was hella excited that actress Meghan Markle secured the royal bag and is now engaged to Prince Harry—myself included. I mean, I’m hype, but not hype like I received a “Save the date.” It’s exciting to see a black princess. Markle, however, isn’t the only one,…
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Watch: Al Sharpton Teaches Us How to Take a Proper Selfie
We all know the Rev. Al Sharpton as one of the leaders of the civil rights movement. In fact, in October 2017, The Root invited the Rev to our office to interview him about his 50 years of service in civil rights, and he told us about the time he was stabbed while marching. To…
