Wendy Williams Guardianship Outrage May Help New York, What Happened At A$AP Rocky’s Gun Trial, MLK’s Family Reacts to Trump Releasing Assassination Files, Kemba Smith Pradia Gets A Second Chance And More

The Root’s most important and viral stories from the week.

Outrage Over Wendy Williams’ Guardianship May Do Some Good in New York

Wendy Williams attends the ceremony honoring her with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Getty Images Michael Tran/FilmMagic

If you’ve been paying any attention the recent news about Wendy Williams and the puzzling intricacies surrounding her longstanding guardianship and financial struggles, then this news will hopefully bring you some levity. – Shanelle Genai Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Here’s 100 years of the Best Black Dandyism Heading Into Met Gala 2025

President Biden’s Record-Breaking Pardons Gives Kemba Smith Pradia a Second Chance

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 12: Kemba Smith and actress Testa Cooper during the premier of Kemba at St. Louis International Film Festival on November 12, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Getty Images Dilip Vishwanat

Former President Joe Biden has officially left the White House to make way for President Donald Trump 2.0 and his administration. But before leaving office, Biden made a host of pardons, setting the record for most pardons and sentence commutations by a president in a single term. – Angela Johnson Read More

Interesting Facts That Happened at A$AP Rocky’s Gun Trial This Week

ASAP Rocky is seen at the Superior Court of Los Angeles on January 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California Photo: Getty Images DUTCH

Things are revving up for rapper A$AP Rocky and his ongoing criminal trial. The Root previously reported the MC, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is facing serious charges in connection to a 2021 incident in Hollywood where he allegedly shot at a former friend and A$AP mob member. – Phenix S Halley Read More

King Family Reacts to Trump’s Order to Release Files Related to MLK’s Assassination

Dr. Martin Luther King addresses some 2,000 people on the eve of his death. The former founder and Chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was slain by an unknown assailant on April 4, 1968. Photo: Getty Images Bettmann

Less than a week into his first term, President Donald Trump has been on a roll signing more than 20 executive orders and actions on Inauguration Day, according to USA today. And he is showing no signs of slowing down, signing a January 23 executive order calling for the release of files connected to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with former President John F. Kennedy and former Senator Robert F. Kennedy. However, while Trump says “all will be revealed” when the information is made public, the family of Dr. King says they would like the chance to see the files before they are shared publicly. – Angela Johnson Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

13 Disturbing Truths About Black Maternal Health They Don’t Want You to See

13 Disturbing Truths About Black Maternal Health They Don’t Want You to See

Before Black Maternal Health Week begins Saturday, we’re discussing 13 alarming truths no one should ignore, & the policy gaps still failing Black moms …
The Tragic and Inspiring Story of WNBA Coach Dawn Staley

The Tragic and Inspiring Story of WNBA Coach Dawn Staley

From losing both of her parents to suffering her own personal tragedies on and off the court, it’s time we get to know more about Staley. Here’s your reintroduction! …
Jaafar Jackson Reveals Shocking Secret He Kept From His Famous Family After Landing Role in 'Michael' Biopic

Jaafar Jackson Reveals Shocking Secret He Kept From His Famous Family After Landing Role in ‘Michael’ Biopic

Jaafar Jackson is revealing how he reacted after learning he landed the role of his late uncle Michael Jackson, and the surprising things he did to prepare for it! …
Why Angel Reese Will Become The Face of The ATL

Why Angel Reese Will Become The Face of The ATL

Angel Reese has been traded from the Chicago Sky and lands with the Atlanta Dream …
Rapper Offset Shot in Florida: What We Know

Rapper Offset Shot in Florida: What We Know

Offset, Cardi B’s Ex is in stable condition after being shot at a casino in Hollywood, Florida …
Zendaya's Character in 'The Drama' Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

Zendaya’s Character in ‘The Drama’ Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

There’s a lot of rightful online chatter about Zendaya’s character in her latest movie. But there’s an even bigger person we need to talk about! …
Could This Black Man Flip the House Seat Left Vacant by Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Could This Black Man Flip the House Seat Left Vacant by Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Here’s everything to know about Shawn Harris, the Democratic candidate in Georgia aiming to fill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s House seat …
DaBaby Goes Off on Fan for Painting His Kids, His Reaction Has The Internet Divided

DaBaby Goes Off on Fan for Painting His Kids, His Reaction Has The Internet Divided

Rapper DaBaby is making news for how he responded to a fan who painted a picture of his daughters. Let’s get into it …
Terry Crews' Wife Reveals Shocking Health Diagnosis

Terry Crews’ Wife Reveals Shocking Health Diagnosis

Rebecca Crews, the longtime wife of actor Terry Crews, is opening up like never before about her health. And it’s something nobody saw coming …
Trick Daddy Defends His Music After Performance at AKA Event is Cut Short

Trick Daddy Defends His Music After Performance at AKA Event is Cut Short

The room was filled with AKAs of all generations. So when Young began performing his hit songs like “I’m a Thug,” many were caught off guard …
Why Black Folks Are Side-Eyeing Jonathan Majors’ New DEI-hating Boss More Than His Set Accident

Why Black Folks Are Side-Eyeing Jonathan Majors’ New DEI-hating Boss More Than His Set Accident

Jonathan Majors’ falls out of window while filming action movie with Daily Wire, causing crew members to walk off set …
Why Black People Dress up On Easter

Why Black People Dress up On Easter

While Easter is dedicated to serving the Lord, it’s also been a time for Black people to serve looks while honoring the ancestors …
The GOP is Losing its Black Voices as Trump Fails to Turn Endorsements into Black Votes

The GOP is Losing its Black Voices as Trump Fails to Turn Endorsements into Black Votes

MAGA is obsessed with advertising Black conservative candidates… but rarely do these Black GOP leaders get support they need to reach Black voters …
The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

African-born Pope Victor I (c. 189–199 AD) pushed for Easter to be celebrated on Sundays and shaped early Christian practices, leaving a legacy that still shows up in how we honor the holiday today …
LeBron James' Comments About Memphis Have Some Calling Him a Culture Vulture

LeBron James’ Comments About Memphis Have Some Calling Him a Culture Vulture

NBA superstar LeBron James made it plain that he’d rather not have to spend a night in Memphis when he’s on the road. But his comments have garnered a strong reaction online …
Why A League of Voting Rights Group Are Challenging Trump's Latest Executive Order on Mail-in Ballots

Why A League of Voting Rights Group Are Challenging Trump’s Latest Executive Order on Mail-in Ballots

A coalition of voting rights groups is challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding mail-in ballots …
The Easter Speech Is The Original Masterclass of Black Excellence

The Easter Speech Is The Original Masterclass of Black Excellence

Long before they became icons, voices like Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey were shaped in the Black church, where generations of children found their first stage and audience through the Easter speech …
Dawn Staley's Dominant Win Brought Out  Geno Auriemma's White Male Privilege

Dawn Staley’s Dominant Win Brought Out Geno Auriemma’s White Male Privilege

The UConn Huskies’ coach tried to ruin Staley’s moment after the South Carolina Gamecocks incredible victory …
Three Black Easter Fashions That Need to Be Laid to Rest

Three Black Easter Fashions That Need to Be Laid to Rest

A professor gives a loving critique of church hats, loud suits, tired traditions, and why that little boy deserves better …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Fifty-eight years after Dr. King was killed, let’s take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …