photos

This week the Democratic National Convention made its way to Philadelphia, and so did The Root.  In partnership with WURD, The Root hosted Our Power, Our Promise: Shaping a Black Policy Agenda in the Post-Obama Era, at the black-owned restaurant South. And Wednesday’s conversation was led by a keen bunch. Among the group of thought leaders: Rep. Terri A.…

Twenty-five years ago, Boyz n the Hood, John Singleton’s movie about life in South Central Los Angeles, revolutionized black film and launched the big-screen careers of its stars, including Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut and Regina King. The critically acclaimed film was also Singleton’s directorial debut. And today, Boyz n the Hood sits on several lists of top…

Death. Chaos. Pain. Anguish. These are tumultuous times in this nation and the world. Unarmed black men and women are being slaughtered at the hands of law enforcement—people whose job it is to protect and serve. Black people throughout the nation are enraged, bewildered and fearful of their lives. But on Thursday, the police became…

Venus and Serena Williams have become synonymous with this generation of tennis in the United States. The braid-and-bead-rocking sisters gained the world’s attention in the late 1990s, and after their nearly two decades in the game (pardon the pun), when either sibling enters the court, we anticipate dominance. Who cares if in 2015, Serena’s dreams of…

Malia Obama has blossomed into a beautiful young lady in her eight years in the White House. We have watched her and sister Sasha grow, and both appear to be confident, capable, lovely young women. Malia, one-fourth of the tight-knit Obama family, is obviously close to her parents, but she seems to have a special relationship…

So, we are all aware of the history-making members of black Greek-letter organizations: Lena Horne (Delta Sigma Theta), Langston Hughes (Omega Psi Phi), Martin Luther King Jr. (Alpha Phi Alpha), Coretta Scott King (Alpha Kappa Alpha). And the list goes on. Many members of these fraternities and sororities have been trailblazers—breaking boundaries and making history that…

President Barack Obama’s paternal instincts are on fleek. He has fathered Sasha and Malia but reigns as “dad” in the eyes of many Americans. Especially children. As part of our monthly series, His Lasting Legacy—a look back at President Barack Obama’s two terms in office— we’re honoring the commander in chief as the first dad.…

Inspired by Sundance and the black film explosion of the 1990s, Jeff Friday set out to create a festival where both black filmmakers and film lovers could feel at home. The result is the American Black Film Festival. Known initially as the Acapulco Black Film Festival when it was first held in Mexico in 1997,…

June in New York City means a lot of things, but it is also the official kickoff to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s spring season at Lincoln Center. As in the past, the season began with a star-studded Ailey Spirit Gala (pdf) Wednesday in midtown Manhattan. The evening was a night to remember for attendees, who were greeted…