-
Meghan, Harry and the Queen of All Media: What Should We Expect From Oprah's Exclusive Interview?
A duke and a duchess are about to have a sit-down with a queen—to discuss, among other things, their departure from the royal family and concerns about outside interference on their growing family. No, it’s not another “Sandringham Summit.” It’s Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special, airing this upcoming Sunday, March 7,…
-
Glamour Optional: In a Very Unbecoming Year, Black Celebs Gave the Golden Globes Some Style
If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to have Al Pacino on your biweekly Zoom meeting, you likely found out Sunday night. In addition to all the woker-than-thou snide remarks about the all-white Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the 78th Annual Golden Globes, were, in a word, awkward. While we’ve all become well-accustomed to…
-
What's Good? Black History Month Collabs That Will Make a Difference Well Past February
“You good?” read the motif on one of the designs in Target’s Black History Month 2021 assortment, a now-annual rollout featuring collaborations with Black makers—and one arguably ahead of the curve of last year’s so-called “racial reckoning.” In the wake of the current racial justice movement, which was tragically reinvigorated in May on 2020, followed…
-
'Love Is the Strut. Hate Is a Stumble': The Root Presents It's Lit! Salutes the Black Bottom Saints With Alice Randall
In case you haven’t noticed, “Black joy” has been our theme for Black History Month 2021 at The Root—and as the month comes to a close, it’s fitting that we share the joy that is writer Alice Randall. Perhaps you’re familiar with Randall through her bestselling (and controversial) 2001 parody of Gone With the Wind,…
-
The W Stands for 'Why': What Is Going on With This Shoot for W Magazine—and What's With the Trees?
“Defund W Magazine!” exclaimed The Root’s contributing entertainment writer Shanelle Genai on Thursday, after seeing the most recent images released from W’s annual “Best Performances” issue—which we should note is a bevy of Black excellence. In truth, we’ve been clowning the cover story for days, a side-eye turned full-on facepalm as more images emerged featuring…
-
Thasunda Brown Duckett Will Be the Next CEO of TIAA, Making Her 1 of 2 Black Women to Lead a Fortune 500 Company
January brought big news to the business world, as Starbucks COO Roz Brewer was named the new CEO of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, making her the only Black woman to currently helm a company in the Fortune 500 (and only the third, after former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns and Ursula Burns and Bed Bath &…
-
We, As Ourselves: Me Too, Time's Up and the National Women’s Law Center Launch a Landmark Campaign to Support Black Survivors
Over the past several years, we’ve increasingly been asked to listen to, believe, trust and protect survivors of sexual violence—and coincidentally, to do the same for Black women. Hopefully, we’ve been doing so, but what would it look like to create a truly safe space for open, honest, and supportive conversations about sexual violence and…
-
28 Days of Black Joy: To the Unforgettable Natalie Cole…With an Everlasting Love
“Bwown Natalie, Mommy!” In the limited repertoire of language I possessed at 2 years old—mostly comprised of pint-sized commands—my mother claims this was the most frequent refrain as she buckled me into the backseat of her Buick back in 1977. Like many children that age, I already knew my colors—even if I couldn’t properly pronounce…
-
In Living Color: Vanity Fair's Annual Hollywood Issue Is Here—With a Predominantly Black Cast on Its Cover
The 2021 awards committees may still struggle with recognizing Black excellence (we’re looking at you, Hollywood Foreign Press Association—get some Black members and give Michaela Coel her flowers!), but this year, Vanity Fair does not disappoint. Building upon its increasingly diverse and highly anticipated annual covers, this year’s boasts majority Black talent, including Michael B.…
-
'I Felt Seen': This Conversation Between Megan Thee Stallion and Rep. Maxine Waters Made Our Week
Yes, we know it’s only Tuesday, and therefore likely a little early to declare a highlight of the week—but also we’re pretty sure the rare occasion of witnessing two of our favorite women in a conversation about protecting and uplifting Black women is worth the preemptive honor. As Black History Month ends, Women’s History Month…