The Root

Like most young millennials and Gen Zers, actor Brandon L. Smith never felt the need to come out to his family; instead, the Georgia native and star of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Choir Boy”—now onstage at Actor’s Express in Atlanta—simply existed. There was no shame surrounding his queer identity, despite the sometimes negative messaging about LGBTQ people in Black religious circles and in society-at-large.

The last call Anthoneil Williams II made was to Austin police. The 17-year-old reported that someone in the area had a gun, but within minutes of officers arriving, the unarmed Black teen was shot dead. According to the Austin Police Department, officers found Williams alone near a local playground in the early morning of July 24. He reportedly matched the description the caller gave during the 911 call. Officers said they approached him, telling him to keep his hands up.

The family of Daphy Michel, the 31-year-old Haitian immigrant who froze to death at a Pittsburgh bus shelter days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement released her from custody, is taking legal action against the federal government — escalating scrutiny of how the agency treats vulnerable people it decides to let go.

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A Black Grandma in Oklahoma Put Michael B. Jordan on Her Family Photo Wall. You Won’t Believe What Happened Next A Black grandmother in Oklahoma made national headlines after seemingly welcoming Oscar-winning actor Michael B. Jordan into her family. And trust us when we tell you, this story is just too sweet not to share. If you somehow missed it, allow us to set the scene for you.

It seems President Donald Trump isn’t done with Lisa Cook. Just weeks after the Supreme Court blocked his attempt to remove the Federal Reserve governor, Trump is reviving his campaign against the Black woman, signaling that his battle with one of the Fed’s most outspoken policymakers is far from over. The White House formally notified Cook that Trump is once again considering removing her from the Federal Reserve Board, according to CNBC.

As the dog days of summer come to an end and the early scent of the upcoming fall season starts to get stronger, more than a handful of our favorite Black celebs are gearing up to bring us new TV shows and movies that are guaranteed to have us glued to our screens! From Mahershala Ali kicking butt and taking names, to Aaron Pierre getting into his superhero bag and more—keep reading to see which films and series we can’t wait to see! “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” stars Mahershala Ali...

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Former NFL star Chad Ochocinco is at the center of some major internet chatter after sharing his dating preferences in a newly resurfaced clip. Now, his comments have divided Black folks online. The resurfaced clip is from an interview on “The Pivot Podcast,” where Ochocinco discussed what he looks for in the women he’s dating and considering having children with.

There’s no debating that A$AP Rocky and Rihanna are one of music’s hottest couples. But how did the Harlem rapper and the Barbadian “bad gal” find themselves coupled with three kids? Well, if you ask Rocky, it was all a matter of divine manifestation. At least that’s the sentiment he shared in a new interview with Jason Lee for the latest episode of his podcast.