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
Real Photos of Slaves Released After 15-Year Legal Battle with Harvard

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

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking at our favorite books by Black authors of the year …
Save Room For These Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC!

Save Room For These Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC!

If you’re planning on traveling to New York City, bring your appetite. We’ve rounded up our favorite Black-owned restaurants in the Big Apple …
Everything You Didn't Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Everything You Didn’t Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is becoming a household name in America. Here are all the deets you never knew about him! …
You'd Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

You’d Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

Late fees and penalties have been predicted after USPS changed its decades-long postmark policy …
Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

With some much needed time off on the horizon for a lot of us, we thought it’d be fun to round up more than a handful of documentaries that keep you on the edge of your seat as 2026 rolls around! …
Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

After losing and regaining weight on and off for years, Oprah feels that what’s working right now is making her healthier …
Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago celebrates a court victory blocking federal troop deployments as New Orleans prepares for hundreds of National Guard members to enter the city for New Year’s Eve …
Cardi B.'s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is <i>Peak</i> Cardi

Cardi B.’s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is Peak Cardi

In true Cardi B fashion, her latest post is super funny. Unfortunately, not everybody is finding the humor in her situation with Stefon Diggs …
The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

A North Carolina Amazon driver and her teen son were delivering packages when a homeowner allegedly shot at them with a shotgun …
The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

A Georgia prison guard locked people up for a living, but now he’s accused of locking welfare workers in their building over this wild reason! …
Ryan Coogler's Newly Revealed Original 'Black Panther 2' Script is Mind-Blowing!

Ryan Coogler’s Newly Revealed Original ‘Black Panther 2’ Script is Mind-Blowing!

While ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ was good, the original script sounds like it would’ve slapped SO HARD. Let’s talk about it! …
New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

Fawn Weaver isn’t done apologizing after the internet dragged her over that awkward interaction with her old schoolmate …
How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II's Black Soldiers

How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II’s Black Soldiers

After Trump’s anti-DEI policies rocked the nation, a WWII museum in Europe is facing backlash for removing Black soldiers’ memorials …
Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

From high-end fashion designers to Hollywood costume designers, Bobby Garnett’s vintage clothing collection has had a major impact on the fashion industry …
The Most Shocking Black Sports Stories of 2025

The Most Shocking Black Sports Stories of 2025

These are the sports stories that had everyone — fans or not — tuned in in 2025! …
Best and Worst Black Tiny Desk Performances Ever

Best and Worst Black Tiny Desk Performances Ever

From Usher and Doechii to Amerie and Rick Ross–let’s get into a handful of the most memorable and worst-sounding NPR Tiny Desks performances! …
This Video Might've Predicted 'Big Brother' Star Mickey Lee's Death

This Video Might’ve Predicted ‘Big Brother’ Star Mickey Lee’s Death

Mickey Lee, a fan favorite contestant on the most recent season of ‘Big Brother,’ has died and her death is causing an interesting reaction online thanks to a viral video …
Why The Democratic Party Is Struggling Ahead of Midterm Elections

Why The Democratic Party Is Struggling Ahead of Midterm Elections

As we prepare for the 2026 midterms, the Democratic party could be its own worst enemy …
5 Most Shocking Parts of Marjorie Taylor Greene's Bombshell New York Times Interview

5 Most Shocking Parts of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Bombshell New York Times Interview

The firebrand Republican representative sat with The New York Times for a candid interview that will have more than a few eyebrows raised …
Tyler Perry Brings Receipts, Calls Sexual Assault Lawsuit a '$77 Million Money Grab Scam'

Tyler Perry Brings Receipts, Calls Sexual Assault Lawsuit a ‘$77 Million Money Grab Scam’

In June 2025, Tyler Perry was sued by an actor for sexual assault. Now, yet another man is making similar allegations–but Perry is pushing back! …