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
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

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

A Peek Inside Lena Horne's Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

A Peek Inside Lena Horne’s Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

Iconic actress and activist Lena Horne’s home in Queens is finally under contract to be sold. Let’s take a look inside! …
Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Black women were instrumental in the early stages of hip-hop and continue to make history today. We’re looking at those who made their mark doing what they love …
Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is letting it be known she’s not here for Nicki Minaj’s alleged spread of misinformation. Now, the Barbz are responding! …
Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

After Shyne and Ma$e reminisce about 90s romance on the “It Is What It Is” podcast, Brandy shuts down the rumors and distances herself from her brother’s erratic behavior …
New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

First, Southwest took away free checked bags and open seating. Now, Black women are speaking out on a new seating policy that allegedly causes more harm than good …
States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump's 'Illegal' Tariffs

States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Tariffs

Over 15 states penned a letter to Congress demanding they receive compensation following Trump’s “illegal” tariffs …
Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

A former Magic City dancer just gave her two cents amid ongoing fallout from the Hawks’ collaboration with the popular strip club …
‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

Kerry Washington and her ‘Scandal’ costar Tony Goldwyn are looking back at some of their steamiest moments. But there are some they’ve missed, let’s take a look! …
Don't Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Don’t Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Go old-school with your spring cleaning for a house as clean as your grandma’s …
GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

A Georgia woman accused of swindling customers didn’t even have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Allegedly, she promised tax returns that were too good to be true …
New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn't Commit

New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn’t Commit

Prosecutors said Kenneth Windley, now 61, did not steal $550 after two other men who were convicted of similar robberies confessed …
How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman just testified in court after being sued by Ohio law enforcement over his many diss tracks against them …
How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect's New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect’s New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

Attorneys for Brian Cole Jr. argue Trump’s previous pardons should also apply to him …
New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders and Karreuche Tran have been romantically linked since July 2025, but nothing concrete has ever been shared. Until now! …
The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown spoke out on why content creators deserve to be in elevated spaces like the Oscars. But some journalists aren’t seeing eye to eye with her stance …
Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee just moved to impeach AG Pam Bondi, marking the second time in March that articles of impeachment have been brought against her …
Farrah From Destiny's Child Responds to Terrence Howard's Dating Claims

Farrah From Destiny’s Child Responds to Terrence Howard’s Dating Claims

Terrence Howard said he had a romantic connection with singer Farrah Franklin years ago. Now, she’s speaking out and telling a different side to the story! …
Black TikToker Claims He 'Scammed' MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

Black TikToker Claims He ‘Scammed’ MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

One Black TikToker allegedly scammed MAGA supporters out of thousands of dollars. Now, his story is going viral …
Michael B. Jordan's Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Michael B. Jordan’s Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Oscar-winner Michael B. Jordan’s former classmate, who used to bully him, is seemingly getting a taste of her own medicine online…yet again …
Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA's Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA’s Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

After 17 months of heated negotiations, the WNBA avoided the first work stoppage in league history by reaching a historic deal with its Players Association …