• Obama to Name Tubman Tribute as National Monument

    (The Root) — On March 25, President Barack Obama will designate places honoring Harriet Tubman and Col. Charles Young as national monuments, giving them protection as American treasures worth preserving. According to a statement released by a White House official: President Obama on Monday will sign a Proclamation to designate the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad…

    By










  • March Movie Madness, Round 1: Black Dramas

    (The Root) — Spike Lee movies show up twice (Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X) in our March Movie Madness Black Dramas category. Then there’s Denzel’s first major film (A Soldier’s Story), brilliant biopics of our most treasured music greats (What’s Love Got to Do With It, Ray and Lady Sings the Blues), dueling…

    By










  • March Movie Madness, Round 1: Black Comedies and Musicals

    (The Root) — It’s a very eclectic category that includes both Coming to America and Carmen Jones, but that’s what you’ll find in round 1 of The Root’s March Movie Madness comedy/musical section. Those two films aren’t going head-to-head in this round, but check out the matchups below (Uptown Saturday Night versus Friday? Purple Rain…

    By










  • March Movie Madness, Round 1: Black Romance Movies

    (The Root) — From the recent (Think Like a Man) to the classic (Claudine), from the comedic (Boomerang) to the dramatic (Love Jones), these movies have stood out as some of the most celebrated romantic films of all time. Unfortunately, only half of them can advance to the next round. Which ones deserve a chance…

    By










  • March Movie Madness Round 1: Black Action Movies

    (The Root) — Are you more of a blaxploitation fan or a Tarantino buff? Do you prefer your bank robbers to be a band of 1990s ladies gone bad or Vietnam vets? And how do you like your cop movies — funny or dead serious? These are the important questions you must ask yourself as…

    By










  • Is Lil Wayne Dying? His Camp Says No

    Update: Saturday, March 16: The publicist of Lil Wayne’s record label, Sarah Cunningham, has confirmed that the rapper did have a seizure. Kia Selby, the MC’s personal publicist, told CNN that he’s “doing well” and denied that he was in a medically induced coma. Young Money MC Drake dropped by the hospital to visit his…

    By










  • Scenes of Outrage Over Kimani's Slaying

    Since 16-year-old Kimani Gray was shot and killed by two New York City Police Department officers as he left a birthday party at his best friend’s house the night of March 9, the public outcry in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn where he lived has showed no signs of slowing down, with nightly protests…

    By










  • New on The Root: Bobo, Lomax, Others

    (The Root) — We’re proud to announce that the following writers are now sharing their expertise and perspectives on The Root on a regular basis: Michael Lomax, president of United Negro College Fund, is answering your questions about higher education and HBCU life each Thursday in his column, Ask Dr. Lomax. Lawrence D. Bobo, the…

    By










  • 5 Little-Known Facts About 'School Daze'

    Whether you were a kid excited and nervous about the possibilities of college or an adult reminiscing about the good ole days, you likely found something appealing about School Daze, the 1988 Spike Lee Joint about sororities, fraternities and colorism at a fictional HBCU, the first time you saw it. As flawed a film as…

    By










  • First Lady Enjoys a Girls' Night Out in DC

    (The Root) — First lady Michelle Obama enjoyed a rare girls’ night out to see Sweet Honey in the Rock at Washington, D.C.’s Howard Theatre, according to a source who did not wish to be identified. She was spied with fellow Chicagoan Valerie Jarrett, who is senior adviser to the president, catching the 7 p.m.…

    By