maiysha kai

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    Who's Who at The Root Institute

    The Root Institute Want to keep track of all the folks participating in The Root Institute virtual conference this year? Here’s a handy guide of the who’s-who joining in the conversations this year. Danielle C. Belton An award-winning journalist, Danielle Belton is the Editor-in-Chief of The Root. Before joining The Root, Belton was Editor-At-Large for…

  • The Glow Up With Supermodel Veronica Webb Is on The Root

    Beauty is more than what you look like. It’s more than when you’re dressed nice or you bothered to dust on a little foundation. It’s more than when your shoes are both comfy and cute (or wildly impractical but still to die for). It’s more than when your nails are freshly polished, your melanin is…

  • We Are All Insecure

    Eight weeks ago, The Root published an article I wrote, titled, “Is Insecure Preying on Black Women’s Insecurities?” It was a simple question, based on an honest concern I’d had while previewing the show prior to its debut on HBO: As viewers—and, at times, voyeurs—of Insecure, what was our intended takeaway? Was there a deliberate…

  • An Open Letter to Nate Parker

    Nate, I’ve always liked you. With interest and enthusiasm, I’ve watched your career evolve, and have been eagerly anticipating the release of The Birth of a Nation—both enthralled with the clips I’ve seen and kicking myself for not making it to Sundance this year. This is a story that has long needed to be told,…

  • 5 Reasons Jesse Williams Is a Black Girl’s Best Friend

    The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman. Malcolm X spoke these words over 50 years ago; Beyoncé brought them back into current consciousness a mere two months ago. On Sunday night, with…

  • Are You Smarter Than an 8th-Grader When It Comes to Love?

    Apparently, all I needed to know, I learned in eighth grade … Admittedly, this was my first thought upon seeing a tweet depicting a purported “relationship contract” between two eighth-graders. Presumably written by a young lady to her same-age beau, the agreement is both hilarious and unapologetically direct in its demands. The image has unsurprisingly…