Culture

The Tragic and Inspiring Story of WNBA Coach Dawn Staley

The Tragic and Inspiring Story of WNBA Coach Dawn Staley

From losing both of her parents to suffering her own personal tragedies on and off the court, it’s time we get to know more about Staley. Here’s your reintroduction!
The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

African-born Pope Victor I (c. 189–199 AD) pushed for Easter to be celebrated on Sundays
  • Watch: The Root 100 Gala Co-Host A.J. Calloway Celebrates the Obamas

    The Root 100 gala co-host A.J. Calloway breaks down why Barack and Michelle Obama are the epitome of black excellence. The Root 100 prime-time special airs on Fusion TV on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 9 p.m.

  • Watch: Raquel Willis on Bringing Your Black Transgender Identity to Work

    “Right now is the time to be your most different, most radical, most unique self—and you should own that.” —Raquel Willis Raquel Willis was recognized on The Root 100 this year for her unapologetic voice and dedicated work to elevate the transgender community. Watch above for her personal story about how hiding her true identity…

  • Watch: Lena Waithe Is Black and Unapologetic in the Writers’ Room

    “I always wanna be a Muhammad Ali, a Colin Kaepernick. I’d rather lose a check and stand up for righteousness than to sit on my pile of money while my people are suffering.” —Lena Waithe The Root 100 honoree Lena Waithe made history earlier this year when she became the first black woman to win…

  • Watch: Dee Rees Says It’s Not Enough to Just Be a Black Woman; You Must Be Excellent

    Dee Rees is out here making movies that stick to your ribs. From Pariah to Bessie to her latest, Mudbound, which was released on Netflix Friday. It’s because of these amazing films that Rees was recognized on The Root 100 as an honoree, holding down the 42nd spot. Full Disclosure: Netflix flew The Root to…

  • Judge of Characters: Trump Helps Black People Now?

    To hear the authorities tell it, UCLA basketball players LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley all decided that stealing from a store while their team was in China was the best idea ever, and they were subsequently caught, arrested and faced 10 years in a Chinese prison. But then the impossible happened! Your president,…

  • Watch: Don’t Tell Michael Smith to ‘Stick to Sports’

    “The people who rail against shows like ours that embrace the intersection of sport and society, what they’re really saying is, ‘It’s too black for me.’ The difference is you have a black man and a black woman being unapologetically black, and that turns some people off.” -—Michael Smith, co-host of ESPN’s SC6 The Root…

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    College to Be Named After Gwen Ifill

    Alma Mater Offers Rare Tribute to Black Journalist Zimbabwe Media Slow to Report on Takeover Forbes Picks a Diverse ’30 Under 30′ Media List Reporter Remembers Unpunished Killings of 1972 Black Gay Editor Suspended Over Racist Tweets Moore’s Bible Rhetoric Attracted Some Black Voters Lincoln U., Missouri HBCU, Tries Drone Journalism Students Report Housing Fight…

  • Watch: Angela Rye Makes Power Moves at The Root 100 Gala

    “I was being Taylor Swift and you just Kanye’d me,” Angela Rye said, scolding her The Root 100 gala co-host, Extra’s A.J. Calloway. Only someone as strong-willed as Rye could use “Kanye” as a verb. But what else do you do when you’re having your shining moment and A.J. Calloway comes up, attempting to take that…

  • Watch: Gabrielle Union: ‘Hollywood Is Very Segregated’

    I’ll take “What We Already Know” for $1,000, Alex (as in Trebek, as in Jeopardy). It’s no secret that Hollywood carries a (tiki) torch for racism and that when movies feature a predominantly black cast, they’re considered “black movies,” and budgets and expectations are lower. Superstar actress Gabrielle Union stopped by The Root to talk…

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    For Journalists of Color, Covering Racists Can Take Its Toll

    Challenge Is in Staying Safe, Mentally Healthy Kaepernick Is GQ’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ Roland Martin, Jake Tapper Go at It Vanity Fair Gets Its First Top Editor of Color Time Inc. Steps Up Courtship of Latino Market Black Ala. Paper to Focus on Moore’s Opponent Lupita Nyong’o Says Don’t Edit Her Hair Calle to…