Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker Gets Clowned For Hilarious Mistake, Black Leaders Praise Companies For Still Supporting DEI, Alabama Woman Gives Birth In Krispy Kreme Parking Lot, The Most Unforgettable Moments In Black History And More

The Root’s most important culture stories from the week.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is Clowned on the Internet Over This Hilarious Mistake Before Redeeming Herself

Photo: Getty Images Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s week did not start off the way she wanted. But in the end, she got the last laugh.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Hidden Symbolism in Ryan Coogler’s Masterpiece Sinners

Last week, Parker held a news conference outside City Hall to discuss how the City of Brotherly Love would prepare for the coming snow. Before ending the press conference, she attempted to hype up the crowd before the Philadelphia Eagles’ divisional-round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams by shouting a classic “E-A-G-L-E-S” chant. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Let These Black Weddings Be the Perfect Inspiration for Your Dream Nuptials!

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘ @sky_mil3s on Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

Your wedding day is said to be one of the most important days of your life, and also the most stressful. From choosing the cake and picking your down to setting up the seating and arranging the flowers, it’s a day in which all the preparation leads to one moment when love can be celebrated by family and friends alike. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Leaders Asking Black Folks to Buy From Costco, e.l.f and Other Companies Supporting DEI Initiatives

Photo: Getty Images Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Eugene Gologursky, Jon Cherry

Just because President Donald J. Trump is acting on plans to wipeout DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), doesn’t mean companies like Costco and activists like Rev. Al Sharpton aren’t leading the cause to ensure Black people not only feel protected but also feel seen. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Jimmy Butler Might’ve Just Gone Too Far Trolling the Miami Heat

Photo: Getty Images Megan Briggs

Jimmy Butler is not making life easy for the Miami Heat. He is willing to make everyone within the organization as uncomfortable as possible until he gets what he wants, which is to be traded to a contender (except Memphis). And Butler might’ve taken it just as far as he can. – Noah A. McGee Read More

DJ Offers Flau’Jae Johnson a Big Apology After This ‘Nasty Behavior’ During a Basketball Game

BATON ROUGE, LA – JANUARY 24: Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the LSU Tigers in action against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena on January 24, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Getty Images Kristen Young/LSU/University Images

When the University of South Carolina and LSU women’s basketball teams meet each other on the court, it’s bound to be a serious battle. But things got especially tense after a January 24 face-off between the two top-10-ranked teams when a DJ entertaining fans at the stadium played a song that some thought was an especially low blow to one of LSU’s star players. – Angela Johnson Read More

The Scary Reason This Alabama Baby Was Born in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot…and What the Chain is Doing to Acknowledge the Event

Screenshot: YouTube/NBC10WJAR

One Alabama couple is celebrating the arrival of their newborn son who was born in one of the sweetest spots in town. With the help of her partner Keon Mitchell, Sha’nya Bennett delivered their son Dallas in a car outside of a Krispy Kreme store in Dothan, Alabama on January 22, according to WTVY. – Angela Johnson Read More

Kamala Harris Insider: Why We Can’t Let Trump Take Our History

Photo: Getty Images JIM WATSON

As we prepare to celebrate Black History Month, I can’t remember ever feeling more pessimistic about race relations than I do right now. Donald Trump is back in office, and on day one, he banned all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government. He rescinded an executive order signed by former President Biden focused on promoting racial equity. And earlier this week, he signed his own executive order to cut federal funding for schools that teach about so-called “woke” concepts like structural racism and unconscious bias. Since re-taking office, President Trump has wielded his pen like a sledgehammer to destroy the diversity that makes our nation great. And while he might try to take everything from our community over these next four years, he can’t take our history. – Gevin Reynolds Read More

The Most Unforgettable Moments In Black History

Photo: Getty Images Ron Sachs-Pool

As everyone knows, Black history is America history. Our struggles and victories have affected this country for centuries, even though we don’t always receive our just due. With Black History Month right around the corner, The Root takes a look at the most unforgettable moments that have undoubtedly shaped us as a whole. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don't

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don’t

As Ryan Coogler could make history at the 2026 Oscars, let’s look back at Black directors whose films deserved more recognition than they got! …
Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

From Sterling K. Brown to white folks on TikTok, Black women are finally receiving their flowers for being the backbone of society— and we love to see it …
Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black folks woke up on the last day of Black History Month to military strikes in Iran. Now, they’re voicing frustrations as questions about ground troops arise …
Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Kerwin Pittman becomes the first formerly incarcerated Black man to buy a U.S. prison, transforming a site of confinement into a reentry campus …
Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani's Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Folks online who followed Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s marriage say its been rocky early on before Howard filed for divorce. Here’s the full rundown …
NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ collab with the popular strip club after growing backlash …
Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

After gentrification pushed thousands of Black folks out of historic Atlanta neighborhoods, rapper Lil Baby returns to his stomping grounds with a new business plan …
Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Two Michigan Smoothie King workers were canned after refusing service to pro-Trump customers, meanwhile, Black folks are calling out a double standard …
Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Since 2020, athletes at Howard University have kneeled to protest the national anthem. Now, a new policy banning kneeling is causing trouble …
Why The New Yorker's Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

Why The New Yorker’s Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

‘Sinners’ star Wunmi Mosaku has been riding high off her first Oscar nomination, but one drawing didn’t reflect that and fans are calling it out! …
Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

A Black Chick-fil-A franchise owner went viral after recalling how a locksmith refused to help her because he didn’t believe she was the owner …
How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

After being laid off in 2025, Brandy Walker is launching a one-year sabbatical for all Black women to join! …
You Won't Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

You Won’t Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

The host of ESPN’s “First Take” has been open about possibly running for the highest office in the nation …
Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard’s painful story exposes a truth we rarely confront. Black boys are vulnerable to abuse but are almost never treated like victims …
Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

After shots were shockingly fired at Rihanna’s home on Sunday, the singer and the public finally have some good news …
Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder's Family Fights Over Disinheritance

Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder’s Family Fights Over Disinheritance

D’Wayne Wiggins passed away in March 2025 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer …
Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn't Kill Anyone

Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone

Three decades after being sentenced for a murder he didn’t even witness, Sonny Burton is now only days away from his scheduled execution …
Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey's Star-Studded Dating Life

Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey’s Star-Studded Dating Life

With Lori Harvey and her ex-boo Damson Idris back in headlines, let’s take a look at the socialite and budding actress’ dating history! …
Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

A California pastor accused of pushing a church elder down a short flight of cement steps and out a metal gate just shared his side of the story …
How Trump's White Female Voters Got Played

How Trump’s White Female Voters Got Played

Opinion: White women thought they were winning under Trump. They did not realize they were just being used …