Black Twitter Reacts to Jimmy Carter’s Death, These Photos Show How Black Folks Got Down With Carter, Jimmy Carter Was the First Politician to Listen to Black Folks, and Other News About Jimmy Carter

All the news about the 39th U.S. president, who died Dec. 29 at 100

Jimmy Carter Was the First Politician to Listen, Openly, To Black Folks

Photo: Getty Images Hulton Archive

A few years ago, I spoke with civil rights icon Andrew Young and in my conversation, I asked him about being appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He told me that his international perspective came from the people from the Black diaspora that he met through the Black church.It was a perspective he was able to lend because of the vision of his friend Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, who died Sunday at 100. Young was appointed to the role by Carter in 1977 and served until 1979, the first African American in the position. — Madison J. Gray

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Angela Bassett Reveals the Mission: Impossible Birthday Surprise That Got Tom Cruise Dancing

Read More

16 Photos Showing How Black Folks Got Down With Jimmy Carter

Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson, former President Jimmy Carter, and MLB Legend Hank Aaron Photo: Getty Images Bettmann Archive

Former President Jimmy Carter’s relationship with Black America hasn’t been perfect, but in light of his Dec. 29 passing at age 100, it’s time we go back in history and remember his impact on the Black community. — Phenix S Halley

Read More

Black Twitter Reacts to President Jimmy Carter’s Death at 100

Photo: Getty Images David Hume Kennerly

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States of America and the longest-living American president, passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Jimmy Carter’s Strange and Complicated Legacy With Black America

Former President Jimmy Carter sits on the Atlanta Falcons bench before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers, Oct. 23, 2016, Photo: AP AP Photo

At the ripe age of 100, Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer, was the 39th president of the United States and the longest living American president. He died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his son James E. Carter III per The Washington Post. Beloved and misunderstood, Carter especially had a complicated relationship with Black America. It might surprise you to learn that the man who would eventually win the overwhelming support of Black voters for President (twice), wasn’t always seen as a friend to the Black community. — Jessica Washington

Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Actresses Under 35 and Up Next In Hollywood

Black Actresses Under 35 and Up Next In Hollywood

From Keke Palmer to Chase Infiniti, these are the young Black actresses who are absolutely taking over in Hollywood! …
13 Inventions We Would Not Have Without Pioneering Black Women

13 Inventions We Would Not Have Without Pioneering Black Women

As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month, here are some life-changing inventions brought to us by Black women …
What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

Rep. Al Green up against Rep. Christian Menefee– the new kid on the block– in the upcoming Texas runoff election …
Teyana Taylor Wants 'One Battle After Another' Sequel, But Fans Aren't Feeling It

Teyana Taylor Wants ‘One Battle After Another’ Sequel, But Fans Aren’t Feeling It

Though Teyana Taylor’s role in ‘One Battle After Another’ earned her an Oscar nomination, it looks like fans aren’t so hyped to see a spinoff of her character …
Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Daryl Davis has used open conversation and music to persuade hundreds to leave hate behind, collecting their Klan regalia as symbols of change …
5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

The controversial host of ESPN’s “First Take” has a track record of being a habitual linestepper …
They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

Walter “Mr. Tendernism” Johnson made a restaurant famous. Then the fight over his creation began …
T.I Tells Us What He Really Thinks About His Sons Jumping in Beef With 50 Cent

T.I Tells Us What He Really Thinks About His Sons Jumping in Beef With 50 Cent

After Domani and King Harris released jaw-dropping diss tracks against 50 Cent, T.I. shares his thoughts on the whole ordeal …
Memphis Cemetery Sued for Allegedly Segregating Bathrooms and Forcing Black Workers to Use Gas Station Toilets—But it Gets Worse

Memphis Cemetery Sued for Allegedly Segregating Bathrooms and Forcing Black Workers to Use Gas Station Toilets—But it Gets Worse

A federal lawsuit claims a Memphis cemetery resurrected segregated facilities, then axed a manager for refusing to silence his Black crew …
See Oprah Stepping Out Looking Fit and Fly at Paris Fashion Week

See Oprah Stepping Out Looking Fit and Fly at Paris Fashion Week

Oprah Winfrey has been spotted with bestie Gayle King at Paris Fashion Week. Now, one red carpet look has the internet talking …
Billy Porter Details the Shocking Health Emergency That Left Him 'Dead for Three Days'

Billy Porter Details the Shocking Health Emergency That Left Him ‘Dead for Three Days’

In September 2025, Billy Porter had to leave a Broadway production due to a health emergency. Now, he’s opening up about the scary time …
Beware: The Real Version of Your Partner May Be Hiding in Their Phone

Beware: The Real Version of Your Partner May Be Hiding in Their Phone

One TikTok creator is stirring up conversation online after claiming that if you really want to know your partner — their phone might tell the real story …
Texas Teen Messed Around, Found Out After Depicting Black Student Athlete as Kunta Kinte Online

Texas Teen Messed Around, Found Out After Depicting Black Student Athlete as Kunta Kinte Online

A Texas teen is facing severe consequences after a school district says he depicted a Black high schooler as Kunta Kinte on Instagram …
After Tough Win Against Crockett, James Talarico's Fiery Victory Speech Is Something We Need to Hear

After Tough Win Against Crockett, James Talarico’s Fiery Victory Speech Is Something We Need to Hear

James Talarico says he plans to usher in a new wave of politics after beating Jasmine Crockett in the Texas primary …
If You Think  Michael B. Jordan Was Good in 'Sinners,' You Got to See Him in 'Fruitvale Station'

If You Think Michael B. Jordan Was Good in ‘Sinners,’ You Got to See Him in ‘Fruitvale Station’

Thanks to a viral clip from his 2013 film, fans are pointing to ‘Fruitvale Station’ as Michael B. Jordan’s earliest and finest work. And there’s good reason why! …
10 Essential Tracks Engineered by Bob Power, The White Man Who Helped Define the Sound of 90s Hip Hop

10 Essential Tracks Engineered by Bob Power, The White Man Who Helped Define the Sound of 90s Hip Hop

The renowned music engineer and producer who passed away on March 1 was a force behind numerous hip-hop and R&B cuts …
Black U.S. Tourists Trapped in Dubai After Iran Attacks Share Their Terrifying Experiences on TikTok 

Black U.S. Tourists Trapped in Dubai After Iran Attacks Share Their Terrifying Experiences on TikTok 

American tourists are taking to TikTok to share the terrifying reality of being stranded in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran …
Ex-NBA Star Iman Shumpert Reveals Love of ‘Spirituality’ Behind Kountry Wayne’s Comedy After Viral Skit

Ex-NBA Star Iman Shumpert Reveals Love of ‘Spirituality’ Behind Kountry Wayne’s Comedy After Viral Skit

Former NBA star Iman Shumpert explains why collaborating with Kountry Wayne goes beyond skits, from big paydays to the comedian incorporating faith, family, consistency, and generosity into his work …
Rapper Monaleo Reveals The Heartbreaking Health Emergency That Interrupted Her Tour

Rapper Monaleo Reveals The Heartbreaking Health Emergency That Interrupted Her Tour

Rapper Monaleo recently had to abruptly cancel shows on her tour stop. But the reason why is something no one expected …
Take a Look Inside Barack Obama's Former White House Man Cave

Take a Look Inside Barack Obama’s Former White House Man Cave

The impecabbly-decorated Treaty Room was where former President Barack Obama did most of his late night work, and watched a lot of basketball games! …