The Root

It’s a nice historic victory in Mississippi today! Democratic district attorney Scott Colom has officially defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in the race for U.S. Senate, becoming the state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. #Election2026

Born on a Louisiana plantation in 1931, James Dorsey’s birth was never officially recorded. After decades of waiting and months of bureaucratic delays attorney Raynique Keelen stepped in pro bono to make his lifelong wish come true. Mr. Dorsey now has his birth certificate!

“It’s still hurtful.” Three Black Ole Miss students speak out after a viral video showed two women appearing to mimic apes outside their door. One of the students, Alaina Kunes, apologized. Lauren Mayfield doubled down when confronted, according to a resident who spoke with CBS.

Fighting for freedom abroad and recognition at home. 🇺🇸 Brittany Norwood reflects on her father’s Army service and the overlooked history of Black soldiers who fought for the right to serve. Their legacy deserves remembrance. Happy Veterans Day to all who served, from The Root.

Years before Carprice Williams was charged with killing 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, she was investigated over alleged abuse of a 4-year-old in her care. How was she later allowed to become a foster mother again and work in a school district? What safeguards failed?

A piece of American history was sitting in a desk drawer for decades. The only known handwritten final draft of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech will be on public display at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta Nov. 16-22, 2026.

They came to The Root to be heard. Then they went to the polls and made history. From Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history to Gina Hinojosa becoming Texas’ first Latina governor, this election delivered historic wins.

Samarius Johnson, a 28-year-old father of three, was killed Oct. 30 after trying to break up an argument at a Dallas apartment complex. Police say 23-year-old Isaiah Brazil shot him multiple times. Brazil was arrested and charged with murder. Johnson died trying to help someone.

After more than four decades in the music industry, Dr. Dre is ready to step away from the studio. The Grammy-winning rapper and producer told Ice Cube and Mike Epps that he plans to get off the grid for a year or two and experience life outside of music.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D) is taking a page from the late Kobe Bryant: “Job’s not finished.” She says even when they don’t win every fight, they have a responsibility to the communities they serve. That means holding those in power accountable.

Democrat Senate candidate Scott Colom says Mississippi voters shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to cast a ballot. He's calling for early voting and making Election Day a federal holiday.

66-year-old retired Army veteran Loretta Young Thornton lives next door to Elon Musk’s Colossus 2 AI data center in Memphis’ Whitehaven neighborhood. She says the constant noise reminds her of a war zone. Her new neighbor? “I just say that’s my noisy neighbor, Elon Musk.”

Ole Miss has launched an investigation after white students were caught on camera making monkey-like noises and racist gestures outside a Black students’ apartment. What action should Ole Miss take? 👇

Jackson City, Mississippi Councilman Kenneth Stokes is refusing to apologize after a heated exchange with residents over a proposal to lift the city’s temporary moratorium on new and expanding data centers. Listen for yourself.

Ever wonder how Congress chooses its Speaker of the House? Democrats are set to take control of the House after flipping more than three dozen Republican-held seats in last Tuesday's midterms. Rep. @AOC (D) broke down how lawmakers vote to determine who will lead the chamber.

"We can't trust our needs to someone else." Civil rights activist Angela Stewart explains the message behind Grace Morris Jones' fight for equal opportunities for Black children in Mississippi. 📜 Watch the newest episode of #AmericaAmended: youtube.com/@theroot

We owe it to the generations before us to understand the fight for the right to vote and the work that still lies ahead. 📜 The new episode of #AmericaAmended explores the history and legacy of the 19th Amendment. Drops tomorrow on The Root's YouTube channel.

A Philadelphia foster mother and fifth-grade teacher has been charged with murder in the death of 10-year-old Malayshia Allford, whose body was found in South Jersey after an intensive 10-day search. Caprice Williams, 36, is accused of killing the child in her care.

Slavery didn't simply disappear with the passage of the 13th Amendment. The constitutional exception allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime continues to shape conversations about incarceration in America. 📜 : youtu.be/zNYAPgE4UQw

Dr. Lana Foster spent more than 30 years teaching in Echols County, Georgia, becoming the rural district’s last Black teacher before she was fired. Now, her racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.