Breaking News! History in the Making

Tracy K. Smith Named 22nd U.S. Poet Laureate

Smith, a 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner, is now named the 22nd U.S. poet laureate. Read all about her and her accomplishments here.

Where Are the Police? Another Noose Found on National Mall

By: Angela Helm, theroot.com Surely, with all of the camera surveillance as well as several branches of police (federal, local, military, etc.) patrolling one of the most tourist-laden places in these United States, one would think that there would be an arrest or some movement in this noose-hanging frenzy going on all over the National Mall….…

Colorlines Screenshot of an archival photo depicting a Juneteenth Celebration in Texas, 1900. Taken from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's Twitter on June 19, 2017.

Celebrating Juneteenth with Remembrance and Resistance

In honor of Juneteenth, the African American holiday celebrating the freeing of slaves within the Confederate states on June 19th, 1865, black groups celebrated in different ways. Find out how some chose to commemorate this day.

Butler Medal was awarded to gallantry of Black Troops during Civil War. It  holds the distinction of being the only medal ever struck for black troops.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution.

Retired Schoolteacher Ready to Part with Impressive Black History Collection

A very well preserved, impressive collection of African History collected by a retired school teacher who is ready to share with the World.

2 Escaped Boko Haram Victims Graduate From High School

Two young girls who were once Boko Haram victims in Nigeria, find that their circumstances have substantially changed. Read all about it here.

Family Who Won $429 Million Lottery Aims To Use Money To Fight Poverty

By Zahara Hill, HuffPost Black Voices We’ve all fantasized about what we’d do if a few million dollars just found its way into our lives. For the Smith family of Trenton, New Jersey, philanthropy was at the top of their list after they won a $429 million Powerball jackpot last year. At a post-win press…

Google Launches ‘Lynching In America’ Project Exploring Country’s Violent Racial History

Google does the unthinkable and creates a project dedicated to the history of lynchings in America. Read all about it here.

‘Genocide Project’–Study Shows Shocking Stats of Blacks Murdered In Brazil

The high rate of killings of African descendents in Brazil, likenes itself to what has now been termed “genocide project” of Black people.

The Cook sisters at Fenway Park.

Black hair restrictions in schools are a return to the Black Codes

A reflection on all of the Black children who, over the course of the past semester, have been punished, disciplined or otherwise called out and singled out for wearing braids, locks, natural hair or any other culturally expressive hairstyle.

The Bookish Magic Of Black Women Is Getting A Literary Festival

Glory Edim saw the importance of creating a space in which black women could express their “bookish magic” based in Brooklyn, New York. Read the article to find out more.

#SaveUnderground: Aisha Hinds on Freedom Dreams and Revolutionary Art

“Underground” was more than just another television show to many and that is why so many are enraged that it has been taken off the air. Find out why in this article.

Nominate Your Picks for a List of the Most Influential African Americans

Every year The Root pays tribute to black innovators, leaders and world changers with The Root 100. You can nominate someone for the list, using the nomination link in this article.

Michael Bennett Has Earned Our Respect. It’s Time We Show It.

By Jordan Schultz, HuffPost Black Voices Michael Bennett is one of the NFL’s good guys, explains columnist Jordan Schultz in his article for the Huffington Post. This is why it’s surprising to see how Bennett has drawn the ire of prominent sports journalists, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, as well as a local sports columnist. It’s…

College Student Who Missed His Graduation Because of NYC Train Delays Gets Impromptu Ceremony From Commuters

Alcantara thought he would miss his graduation ceremony due to the unreliable New York City subway system, but other passengers made sure that was not the case. Find out how within this article.

gina prince

Gina Prince-Bythewood Will Be The First Black Woman To Direct A Super Hero Film

Gina Prince-Bythewood, the popular director of “Love and Basketball,” is back at it again, but this time with a “Marvel” film and she’s the first black female to ever do it. Read the article to see what she’s planning.

Afro-Feminist Festival Calls Out Mayor For Accusing Them Of Racism

By: Zahara Hill, HuffPost Black Voices Zahara Hill reports backlash of a black feminist event— the Nyansapo Festival— scheduled to commence July 28 in Paris by the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo. Organized by the Mwasi Collective, the festival was “to be a safe space for black feminists to curate sociopolitical strategies to overcome marginalization and…

Paris mayor says ‘solution’ found for black feminist event

The Afro-feminist group, MWASI, was shut down as they tried to host an “exclusive” event (for black women mostly) according to the mayor. Read the full story here.

Sometimes, Staying Woke Means Staying Away

‘Stay woke’ has been the phrase of the century, but with all the recent tragedies, this author thinks that taking a break from social media may do us some good and help us to ‘stay alive.’

Beyonce, one of the many celebrities who used her platform to protest American history and called her fans to get in 'Formation' to do the same. (genius.com)

The history of American protest music, from “Yankee Doodle” to Kendrick Lamar

The evolution of American protest music includes an array of artists, many Black, have penned creative and influential songs.

What It Costs to Give Black Mothers a Second Chance

National Mama’s Bailout Day helped free dozens of women around the country who were too poor to make bail. Sheritha Scott was one of them. Here is her story.

Rep. Karl Oliver of Mississippi

MS Rep. Karl Oliver issues statement on “lynching” post he made on Facebook

A state representative in Mississippi calls for lynching the leadership in New Orleans that sanctioned the removal of Confederate memorials to white supremacists.