culture

I don’t know how to talk about mental health in a short, sweet and all-encompassing way. On the topic, my mind is a Powerball drawing of sorts. The first ball up is MarShawn McCarrel, the brilliant Black Lives Matter activist who tragically took his own life earlier this year. Then I think of the artist…

“I grew up in one of those households where every month was Black History Month,” W. Kamau Bell jokes. Bell, one of the few comedians tackling issues of race head-on, credits his heightened awareness to his highly conscious mother who grew up in Indiana in the worst of times. “She had just embedded this inside…

Editor’s note: This short-film series is a collaboration between The Root and El Rey Network to support, elevate and promote African-American filmmakers via on-air, digital and editorial platforms. These talented filmmakers represent the front line in improving diversity of participation and cultural representation in entertainment. Both The Root and El Rey Network are honored to showcase their works and stories. Smith…

African Americans love to travel, and according to a research study, we spend nearly $50 billion a year on U.S. travel alone. During our explorations, however, we don’t always make it a priority to support black-owned hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. “Like any industry, we’re stronger when we operate together. But beyond the economic reasons, and the…

Has Drake fallen off? I’ve had a hunch that this was happening for a little over a year now, but the pop-culture whirlwind of Meek Mill and “Hotline Bling” threw me off the case. The truth was buried beneath a shower of memes and GIFs. Somehow, the stench of tepid-hotdog-water bars found their way into…

Last week I was invited to a screening at the Tribeca Film Festival of the first episode of the Roots remake, set to premiere on the History Channel on Memorial Day. During the screening, which took place at the School of Visual Arts Theatre in New York City, a random white woman sat in the seat right…

Beyoncé is our reigning pop queen. And considering the success of Lemonade, the visual album that aired on HBO, it’s a given that her wardrobe, her hair and makeup, and her imagery will be studied and imitated for the rest of the year. There is nothing wrong with this. Well, there’s nothing wrong with most…

Remember a couple of episodes ago when Olivia Pope belittled Abby Whelan, Abby exacted revenge and as a result, Olivia bashed Andrew Nichols’ head in with a chair? Well, Olivia and Abby are now engaged in a gladiator-vs.-gladiator death match as they try to deliver a win for their candidates, Sen. Mellie Grant and Vice President…

Infertility is a disease. And National Infertility Week is dedicated to raising awareness of reproductive health. This year the week kicked off April 24. Let’s admit it—using fertility clinics, freezing eggs and even surrogacy are still somewhat taboo in the black community. Even as we hear more and more about reproductive health from celebrities—Tyra Banks,…

You may not care about that American Sound Awards storyline on Empire, but Cookie does because she thinks that it’s an opportunity to show the world the Lyon family is strong and that it will help Lucious regain control of their company. In last night’s episode, “More Than Kin,” Cookie makes it happen. Let’s go!…