Breaking News! History in the Making

Photographs of enslaved people in the US, possibly the oldest known in the country, were discovered in the basement of a Harvard University museum in 1977. (Bettmann Archive)

Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’

When a study at Harvard revealed more connnections between the school and slavery, research was slowed and discouraged.

Mekeish Madden Toby and her daughter Zoe Toby, whose graduation was moved up due to the threat of ICE (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

What Do ICE Raids Teach Kids?

Quintessa Williams that ICE raids are an act of terror against Black and other children of color, some of who are afraid to leave home.

Candi Carter is the founder of Shop Red Bag (Photos by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Disney Dreamers Academy & Cistus Media)/Collage by theGrio

As DEI disappears from major retailers, Shop Red Bag gives Black-owned brands a new home

Candi Carter’s website Shop Red Bag connects marginalized shop owners and activist buyers while big retailers are rolling back DEI initiatives.

90

City of Tulsa Provides Significant Archeological, DNA Updates in 1921 Graves Investigation

Tulsa’s Mayor Nichols announced the confirmation that a veteran was a victim of the massacre and the finding of a potential victim’s remains.

88e3bf146994c2fc7f27721b076c3724

Congrats on Your Baby — Now Pay This Extra $8,000

We must confront the deadly cost of divisive rhetoric—and why it matters now more than ever to Black communities.

The larger Mellen Park will host this year's Juneteenth festivities in Pittsburgh (Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Funk, hip-hop and R&B hitmakers to descend on Pittsburgh for Juneteenth celebration

Pittsburgh’s 2025 Juneteenth celebration with be bigger than ever and includes some surprising musicians in the lineup.

'Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls' is a recently released graphic novel that tells the story of an escaped slave who secured his freedom during the Civil War by commandeering a Confederate ship to secure his and his family's freedom.  (Photo courtesy of Legion M)

New Graphic Novel Spotlights Robert Smalls, Who Escaped Slavery on a Stolen Confederate Ship

The author, who has previously written for Marvel, was moved to create this graphic novel to retell Robert Smalls’ incredible story.

cabf0575-8507-42e1-b311-9a2ec0102cfb_980x653

NAACP Breaks a 116-Year Tradition — And It Speaks Volumes

The NAACP is taking a stand and making a statement against fascism by refusing to hold their annual convention while Trump is president.

Screenshot-2025-06-16-at-10.23.04 AM

Our Lives Are on the Line—Again: What Political Violence Means for Black America

We must confront the deadly cost of divisive rhetoric—and why it matters now more than ever to Black communities.

Maitland Keiler at the Alonzo A. Young, Sr. Enrichment & Historical Center in Royal. “Our people went through something to get this land,” Keiler said. (Malissa Williams, Saúl Martínez)

As Juneteenth approaches, Black Florida community renews preservation bid

Residents, who are mostly descended from enslaved people, want their community on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ananda Lewis

The Death of Ananda Lewis: A Warning for Black Women

Over 300 children and adults are currently on a waitlist to receive heart surgery in the US, some of whom may die whle waiting.

The Schomburg Center at New York Public Library (Dmadeo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A Mecca for Black History Turns 100

The usually quiet library welcomed a joyful celebration and recognition for a century of honoring Black culture and history.

SF25_TasteofJuneteenth_050925_800x500-2

Summerfest Juneteenth Celebration: First ever in Milwaukee

The partnership brings together two of the city–and state’s–biggest festivals this summer, combining music and Black culture.

US ICE label on officer's jacket

Justice vs. ‘Just Us’: Should Black People Care About ICE?

Some in the Black community have looked the other way while ICE agent have mostly focused on detaining certain groups, including Latinos.

Sly and the Family Stone in 1986 (Epic Records)

Sly Stone Believed Everybody Is a Star: The Massive Legacy of an Avant-Funk Revolutionary

Rob Sheffield examines the recently departed Stone’s unique musical style, including his inspiration and those musicians he later inspired.

charlotte skyline

Black Entrepreneurs in Charlotte Launch $3.7M Campaign to Build Innovation Center

Entrepreneurs in Charlotte, North Carolina, are coming together to build a creative hub designed to support and uplift small Black businesses no matter the industry.

The air in Memphis is often filled with smog, and has been for years (Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash)

Memphis Had a Smog Problem Long Before Elon Came to Town

While the Colossus supercomputer may have increased emmissions in the city, Memphis was long known for its air pollution.

Fabienne Rene and Andrice Boncoeur. (Courtesy International Cardiac Alliance)

Trump’s ban stalls lifesaving treatment for Haitian children who need to travel for surgery

Over 300 children and adults are currently on a waitlist to receive heart surgery in the US, some of whom may die whle waiting.

Synthetic braids may not be safer than chemical relaxers according to new research (Michael Starkie/Unsplash)

Many Black women consider synthetic braids safe. A study found toxins in all the brands it tested

While many Black women have swapped out hair relaxers for braids, they may be unaware of the risks posed by VOCs in these products.

Screenshot_8-6-2025_92739_afro.com

Judge weighs government’s request to unseal records of FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.

Newly released FBI records uncover the extent of government surveillance and attempt to discredit Martin Luther King Jr. during the height of the civil rights movement.

Donald Trump (Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The “Beautiful” Budget Bill Is Pretty Ugly for Black Americans

The deep cuts to federal government programs that Congress is considering will hurt millions–especially in Black communities.