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Roots, Past and Present: A Look Back at the Original Cast and a Sneak Peek at the New Stars
Nearly 40 years after Roots made its epic network-television debut, the History Channel, along with Lifetime and A&E, is set to air a four-night reboot of the epic slavery saga based on Alex Haley’s book for today’s generation. In 1977, nearly 100 million people tuned in to the eight-part miniseries on ABC. It went on…
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Watch: Misty Copeland Bedazzles the World and Offers Food for Thought
Misty Copeland has gone from living in a motel to dancing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House. Literally. In June 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Still, she strives for more. At 33, the prima ballerina has amassed innumerable accolades, and…
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Black Music Month Means Studio Sessions at The Root
June is almost here—that means sunny skies, warm weather and black music, of course! For Black Music Month, The Root and McDonald’s will honor and celebrate the music (and musicians) of the African Diaspora with Studio Sessions at The Root. This video series will feature contemporary artists from a gamut of genres: global, hip-hop, soul—we’ve…
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Watch: Morris Brown’s Herndon Stadium Now in Shambles
Morris Brown has had a bit of a time since its founding. In fact, the school, established in 1881—one of only a handful of HBCUs founded by African Americans—has had some serious struggles in recent years. The college has filed for bankruptcy its once flush enrollment of 2,700 students in 2003 has dwindled to fewer than 20. And yet…
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The Root 100 2016: Time to Nominate Your Choices
We are looking for the exciting, innovative, creative, passionate leaders in the African-American community who have caught your attention in the past year. In a few months, we will announce The Root 100 for 2016 and celebrate the 25- to 45-year-olds who exemplify excellence in the fields of social justice, politics, entertainment, business, the arts,…
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Mothers of Black Fla. Teens Who Drowned After a Police Chase Speak Out
“They painted her as a criminal, despite the fact that she’s 15 years old and lost her life,” says Natasha Winkler, mother of Laniya Miller. Her daughter was one of three teens who died early on the morning of March 31 after a police chase. “Before I was notified that of her passing away, [police] had…
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Are You Young, Fabulous and Female in the NYC Area?
Attention, all the young, black and fabulous women in the New York City area: The Root is bringing it home with an event you won’t want to miss. Young, Fabulous and Female: New York City will be held Wednesday, May 25, and include a powerhouse panel featuring actress MaameYaa Boafo; Tricia Clarke-Stone, co-founder and CEO…
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My God Too: New Campaign Launched at Morgan State Spotlights LGBTQ Life on HBCU Campuses
“Gender is more than just being a man or a woman. Gender is what you identify as, as a person,” says Damilola Louwole, 21, a senior at Morgan State University in Baltimore. She dresses and identifies as a masculine woman, and says that people don’t understand. The Cambridge, Mass., native also says that at a…
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Watch: Misty Copeland on Becoming the Firebird Barbie
Very seldom does one find a person as gracious and graceful as Misty Copeland. In June 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history. She has amassed innumerable accolades and graced a slew of magazine covers, helped redefine the Under Armour brand, and has…
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Making Babies, Breaking Taboos Is Goal of Black Fertility Agency
Infertility is a disease. And National Infertility Week is dedicated to raising awareness of reproductive health. This year the week kicked off April 24. Let’s admit it—using fertility clinics, freezing eggs and even surrogacy are still somewhat taboo in the black community. Even as we hear more and more about reproductive health from celebrities—Tyra Banks,…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
