Jay Connor, Author at The Root | Page 57 of 157

Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude

In the Fight for Black and Brown Lives, the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance Has Answered the Call

In the immediate aftermath of the officer-related death of George Floyd, countless corporations openly pledged to address racism within their workplaces and poured resources into supporting social justice initiatives throughout the country. And while those ongoing efforts have thus far yielded mixed results, there are also organizations that have faithfully been doing the work long…

By

Jay Connor

Published

February 2, 2021
28 Days of Black Joy: Durags

If you thought “don’t touch my hair” only applied to Black women, you’re sadly mistaken. Every nap shall bow and every wave brush shall confess that a Black man’s durag is his first true love. Most people will say it was their moms, but SPOILER ALERT: That’s a Joe Jackson lie. From the first time…

By

Jay Connor

Published

February 2, 2021
Danyel Smith's Black Girl Songbook Is Giving Black Women In Music Their Flowers While They Can Still Smell Them

Finally! As a devoted R&B head with aspirations to one day exorcise my hip-hop demons, I’ve waited an eternity for a Black woman to create a podcast that gives other Black women in the music industry their due. That sisterhood between sistas is often duplicated but never replicated, and there’s nothing like watching Black women…

By

Jay Connor

Published

February 1, 2021
Chris Paul, Goalsetter Have Big Plans to 'Draft' One Million Black and Brown Kids Into a Path of Financial Freedom

When sports heads hear the term “drafted,” we typically think of the moment when amateur athletes transition from making their coaches and colleges millions of dollars to when they can finally see that kind of money themselves. But as part of its Black History Month initiative, Black-owned finance app Goalsetter is focusing on an entirely…

By

Jay Connor

Published

February 1, 2021
Channeling the Spirit of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Drew Brees Just Terrorized Us All With Ashy Red Beans and Rice

Trigger Warning: This article contains graphic details of alleged rice and beans. Let me preface everything that I’m about to say by admitting that I am by no means a chef. Now that we got that out the way, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees isn’t either—and I’ve got the unsettling receipts to prove it.…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 29, 2021
The Choice Is Simple: If Deshaun Watson Wants to Win a Super Bowl, He'll Join the Denver Broncos

Earlier this week I went on a lengthy spiel about how ridiculously overrated loyalty in sports is. It’s been proven time and time again that no amount of blood, sweat, and tears poured into a professional franchise will deter the powers that be from getting rid of your ass once they no longer view you…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 29, 2021
My Brother's Keeper Alliance, ESPN Launch Mentorship Program for Boys and Young Men of Color

The value of mentorship can never be understated, as it imparts invaluable guidance, support, and expertise upon mentees eager to conquer the obstacles that lay before them. To that end, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance is in the business of building safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color. And to ensure that…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 29, 2021
Kirk Franklin, Sony Music Combine Super Powers to Bring Us Some Good Words

Pastors have a tendency to be a bit long-winded. But when you need your soul fed, there’s no better chef than sanctified superstar Kirk Franklin. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the 16-time Grammy award-winning artist is bringing his gift of gab to the wonderful world of podcasts. According to Deadline, the…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 28, 2021
Remember This Face Because This Monster Should Never Play Another Down In the NFL Ever Again

Trigger Warning: This article contains graphic details of domestic violence. Prior to the arrival of Surviving R. Kelly, as the tide began to turn against the embattled singer, Spotify tried to get ahead of the curve by banning controversial artists from its popular playlists. This new “hate content and hateful conduct” policy was the streaming…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 28, 2021
Booked and Busy: Amanda Gorman to Recite Original Poem at Super Bowl LV

All she does is win, win, win no matter what. Barely a week removed from eloquently telling the truth to shame the Devil at the inauguration ceremony for our president, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman’s victory lap continues. As we reported at The Root, she’s already signed on the dotted line…

By

Jay Connor

Published

January 27, 2021

Menace to supremacy. Senior Edior at The Root. Consultant and friendly neighborhood NDA signee elsewhere else. Impatiently waiting for y’all to stop putting sugar in grits.