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Kelly Rowland Takes Us Through Her Iconic Mane Moments
One thing’s for sure: Kelly Rowland’s got lewks. From her pixie cut of the early 2000s, to her blunt bobs and now her natural ‘fro, Kelly’s hair has always made a statement. It is clear the singer-songwriter has a great sense of pride in her hair—in all of its forms. So naturally, Rowland is the…
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An Unexpected Adonis: Actor William Jackson Harper Has Found His 'Good Place'
By now, perhaps you’ve heard the name William Jackson Harper. For those of you who unfamiliar with him, allow me to offer this introduction: William Jackson Harper is best known as the actor who plays Chidi Anagonye—an indecisive, neurotic philosophy professor—on NBC’s The Good Place. After a decade of paying his dues on and off-Broadway,…
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Why Do We Silence Black Girls and Women Who are Survivors of Sexual Violence?
Today, conversations about sexual violence and harassment towards women have infiltrated popular culture, the news and beyond. But despite the prevalence of sexual violence towards black girls and women, we remain almost invisible in these conversations. You see, the legacy of sexual violence towards black women and our subsequent silencing runs deep. In her seminal…
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Beale Street’s Regina King Breaks Down What It Means to Be a Vulnerable Black Woman
We often speak about the “strong black woman” archetype, but what does it mean to be a “vulnerable black woman?” The reality is that the two characteristics are a bit symbiotic—after all, it takes a great deal of strength to make one’s self vulnerable. As Sharon in If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King so…
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’Tis the Season: Here’s How Jesus Became So Widely Accepted as White
It’s no secret that Jesus Christ, known in Christian circles as the Son of God, is often depicted as a white man. But, how did the Son of God become so widely accepted as a European? After all, there are very few physical descriptions of Jesus in the bible. Keri L. Day, an associate professor…
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Fried, Dyed and Laid to the Side: Hazardous Hair Products Are Being Marketed to Black Women
From deep conditioners, to relaxers and gels, on any given day black women put tons of products in our hair. We don’t just wake up like this. Well, sometimes we do, but. Wait. OK. Back to the story. African Americans have tremendous spending power. In fact, according to Nielsen we spend about $1.2 trillion a…
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Viola Davis: 'If I were not a celebrity, I’d be invisible'
“I always say that if I were not a celebrity, I’d be invisible” said Viola Davis as she sat across from NPR’s Audie Cornish. The Emmy, the Tony and the Academy Award-winning actress is a black woman from South Carolina. Her father trained horses and her mother was a maid. The harsh reality is, if…
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Common Plays ‘Black Ass Game’
Black Ass Game is back! Our latest contestant? Common. I think that we all can agree that the Chicago native is a pretty soulful dude, but is he team Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield? How about when it comes to hip-hop? Is the golden era best or do the 2000s reign supreme? Ahead of the…
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So You Think You Know The Root 100?
Every year The Root honors the best and the blackest on an esteemed list that we call The Root 100. If you’re just hearing of The Root 100, then get with it. While you might recognize the names Tarana Burke and London Breed do you really know who these people are and their many accomplishments?…
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Tiffany Haddish and Tika Sumpter Play 'Never Have I Ever'
Have you ever slid in anyone’s DMs? Done online dating? Gotten back at an ex? Better question: Are you willing to reveal that you have done those things on camera, in front of millions of adoring fans? Tiffany Haddish and Tika Sumpter’s response: Yup! They’re ready! Ahead of Nobody’s Fool, The Root sat with Tiffany…
