• The Root 100 2016 Gala Celebrated the Best in Black Art, Athletics, Activism and More

    The Root celebrated the eighth year of The Root 100 list of influential African Americans, and the first gala with newly appointed Managing Editor Danielle Belton, on Monday in New York City at the swanky venue (that made every girl in the room want to host her wedding there) Guastavino’s. Belton says, “Though I’ve been…

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  • A Living List of All the Things You Likely Googled After Donald Trump's Presidential Win

    It’s happened. The American people have elected Donald Trump to be the 45th president of the United States of America. We’re here and there’s no turning back. The initial shock, denial and depression have begun to fade, but many of us are left with questions. Some of us turn to our friends, family members, co-workers…

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  • This Is What Happens When You Ask the Cast of 'Almost Christmas' to Play Secret Santa

    Even though we’ve all had to deal with the recent results of a very intense election, it is almost the holiday season. What better time to cling to our families and other loved ones than now? Almost Christmas is a much-needed comedic holiday story filled with love, family and hope. This festive flick stars a few…

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  • Police Brutality Meets the Mannequin Challenge and the Result Is Epic

    By now you should have heard about the latest trend sweeping the internet: the mannequin challenge. This is when a group of people get together to pose in various ways without moving as someone makes their way through the room, videotaping the entire mannequin group. Everybody and their mommas are taking part: Kevin Hart, Beyoncé (well,…

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  • SnapBlack: 12 Black Snapchatters You Should Follow

    Snapchat has quickly risen to become the favorite social media platform for people over the age of 12. Let’s be honest; when the platform first launched in 2012, teenyboppers flooded the app, and we grown folks rolled our eyes at the fleeting social engagement. But something happened last year. Snapchat became popular with millennials, older…

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  • Watch: How Did the Stars of The Birth of a Nation Practice Self-Care While Shooting This Intense Film?

    Black trauma stems back as far back as slavery. Knowing that our ancestors were treated worse than animals—brutalized, dehumanized and demeaned—and that this terrible legacy of racism has carried on to our modern and “progressive” times is a painful truth that we must face every day. When movies like The Birth of a Nation are…

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  • 30 New and Old Books by Black Authors You Should Read

    The written word is not only informative, it’s transformative. For as long as I can remember, words have always been an escape for me. During the summer, my mom would take me to the library, where I’d get lost in the shelves for hours, pulling down books, sitting right on the floor and reading them.…

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  • 10 Stunning Images From The Birth of a Nation

    Nate Parker’s controversial The Birth of a Nation comes out Friday, and while many are shunning his directorial debut in light of his personal life, there’s no denying how important this film is. One thing Parker’s reiterated all over the media is that this movie is bigger than he is. After screening the film at…

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  • Nate Parker Is Ready to Move On From His Past and Wants the Focus on Nat Turner

    The Birth of a Nation is set for release Oct. 7, and despite its impressive, history-making reputation, it’s the film’s director and lead actor Nate Parker’s past rape allegations that have dominated the most recent headlines rather than the very important story of preacher-turned-freedom fighter Nat Turner. “This is a film about freedom … resistance,” Parker exclusively…

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  • Loving Tells One of the Most Important Love Stories in Black History

    Imagine being cuddled with your loved one in bed, in the middle of the night. It’s peaceful, and the warmth of your spouse’s body sends goosebumps all down your skin. And then, boom! You’re both shaken awake by a police officer kicking down your door and yelling, “Get out of bed!” because your marriage is…

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