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Jordan Peele is No. 1 on The Root 100, Our Annual List of the Most Influential African Americans
When we launched The Root 100 in 2009, it was the perfect time to celebrate black excellence. The arrival of the country’s first black president was an occasion to champion the achievements of today’s African-Americans heroes—achievements that could exist only in our ancestors’ wildest dreams. But this year, in a political and cultural climate that…
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How Do I Legally Prove Native American Ancestry?
For this week’s column, we decided to address a topic that comes up frequently in your questions: How does one legally establish Native American ancestry? Legal recognition as a tribal member varies depending on the Native American nation in which you seek enrollment. Native American communities are sovereign nations and, as such, have their own…
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Join The Root in Miami for a Discussion on How Climate Change Is Affecting Black Communities
For years, gentrification has been changing and reshaping black communities across the country. But in Miami, gentrification includes another factor: climate change. In South Florida—where people of color were redlined into less valuable areas, away from the sandy, tropical beaches—sea levels are rising faster than normal, bringing regular coastal flooding. Now real estate investors and…
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The Root 100: Time to Nominate Your Picks for Our Annual List of the Most Influential African Americans
Every year The Root pays tribute to black innovators, leaders and world changers with The Root 100, our annual list of the most influential African Americans, ages 25 to 45. And now it’s time for you, the public, to help shape this list by nominating the people you think represent the best and brightest in…
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Join The Root and Fusion for a Discussion on ‘Realizing Genius: Mentorship and Women of Color’
It’s hard charting a successful career path as a woman of color, which is why having a mentor is so important. But often, women of color don’t have mentors, or they have mentorships with men. And while having a male mentor is better than having no mentor at all, how do you find someone to…
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Ohio Teen Couple Commits Suicide Within Days of Each Other
Two days after Mercedes Smith, 18, was found unresponsive after an apparent suicide in her dorm room at Lindsey Wilson College on April 20, her boyfriend, Markeice Brown, 17, took his own life amid accusations that Smith’s death was his fault. Smith was reportedly pregnant with Markeice’s child. After learning of Smith’s death, Markeice posted…
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Cleveland Police Launch Manhunt for Suspect Who Broadcast Killing Live on Facebook: Reports
Updated Sunday, April 16, 2017, 7:43 p.m. EDT: Cleveland police have identified the victim in the Facebook Live video as 74-year-old Robert Goodwin Sr., according to ABC News. In the video, which has been removed from Facebook, Goodwin can be seen raising his arms to protect himself as a suspect, whom police have identified as…
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The Root’s Young Futurists of 2017 Will Put Your Life to Shame
They are young, gifted and black. They are part of a generation that is poised to change the future. We know this because they are already changing the present. Meet The Root’s Young Futurists of 2017! For the past six years, we have honored 25 of the best and the brightest young people, ages 15 to…
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Shemar Coombs
Shemar Coombs wants to add a few minutes to your day. After getting tired of untangling his headphones, he decided to figure out how to solve the problem. Enter Rap-It-Up, Shemar’s solution to making sure you never have to wrestle with another knot in your earbuds. Rap-It-Up is a 3D-printed phone case that keeps your…
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Dejah Powell
Dejah Powell is doing everything she can to green up the South Side of Chicago. As a kid, Dejah didn’t know the meaning of “environmental justice.” So, now, with her nonprofit organization Get Them to the Green, she’s helping young people build community gardens and educating them on the importance of the environment. CATEGORY: Green…
