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Greatest American Shero: Tarana Burke Takes on Cannes and the Ad Industry Alongside Gloria Steinem
#MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke never ceases to amaze, and last week, she amazed the advertising crowd gathered for the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, appearing alongside fellow feminist icon Gloria Steinem for global marketing organization Interpublic Group’s (IPG) eighth annual Women’s Breakfast. IPG Chairman and CEO announced the event via press release,…
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I Like It Like That: Hennessy Carolina and Michelle Diaz Get Glammed Up for Pride
She may not have a gold album and multiple platinum singles like her big sis, but don’t sleep on Instagram and reality-TV star Hennessy Carolina (and yes, that’s her real name). Like Bey’s sibling Solange before her, Cardi B’s stylish little sister has been making her own distinctive imprint on pop culture, switching up her…
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Blakanda and the Beautiful: The Best, the Boldest and the Bad(dest) Looks of the 2018 BET Awards
“Blakanda” was the theme, and black Hollywood didn’t disappoint at the 2018 BET Awards Sunday night, when black excellence took center stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Since several of our Root crew were in attendance, we left it to them to fill you in on all the details about the show, while…
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‘Fash-Lighting’: How Fascists Do Fashion?
Anyone who says personal style isn’t political is fooling themselves—and anyone who’s ever been discriminated against because of their chosen hairstyle or non-gender-conforming style of dress knows this. From “message tees” to choosing to wear our natural hair to work (or on the red carpet), our appearance is our statement to the world of who…
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#ThriveOver35: We Can No Longer Accept the Brief Life Expectancy of Trans Women of Color
As Ashlee Marie Preston approached her 34th birthday in early June, it was less a celebration than a sobering milestone. Preston is a successful media personality, producer, writer, speaker, civil rights activist, recent political candidate and The Root 100 honoree for 2017. She is also a black transgender woman, fully aware that the average life…
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Melania Trump Doesn’t Care. Do U?
File this under “I’m not an immigrant but you are”: Deplorable First lady Melania Trump wore a cargo jacket that would better be described as “IDGAF” than “insensitive” during her “surprise” trip to Texas (doubtful, since there were painted signs welcoming her upon arrival) to visit immigrant children heartlessly separated from their parents. The back…
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Is the Mainstream Ready for 4c? Mane Traces the Evolution of Natural Hair On-Screen
Online media company NowThis turned heads at the top of 2018 with the launch of Mane, a web series focusing on the intersection between hair and culture. On Tuesday, Mane kicked off its second season with a closer look at how the presentation of naturally textured black hair has evolved on-screen, tracing the current impact…
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A Month of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: Is It Too Soon to Slam Her Royal Style?
Tuesday marked a month since Meghan Markle married into the British royal family, effectively becoming Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. And since the date of her wedding to Prince Harry, eyes around the world have been watching to witness—and critique—the former actress’s royal style. The duchess got off to a great start; her wedding dress, designed…
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Ms. Jackson if You’re Happy: Janet Jackson Shares Her Journey to Joy in Essence’s Happiness Issue
She may have taught us all the “pleasure principle,” but beloved icon Janet Jackson’s happiness didn’t come as easily as a song and dance. In an exclusive essay and cover story for Essence magazine’s first-ever Happiness issue, the living legend—who will also headline the 2018 Essence Festival on Sunday, July 8—writes readers a deeply empathetic…
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The Love Below: Jada Pinkett Smith and Mom Talk Vaginal Rejuvenation in Red Table Talk
Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk—her hit Facebook series featuring herself, daughter Willow and mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones—has provided us with no end of topics to cover. In the month since its debut, the series has explored a number of intimate matters, including blended families, body issues, “mean girls,” hair loss and the challenges of being…
