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11-Year-Old Nigerian Artist Creates Stunning Portraits of Figures in His Community
The youngest professional artist in Nigeria is gaining international exposure for his stunning lifelike portraits. Eleven-year-old Kareem Waris Olamilekan draws family members, friends and other community members from his makeshift art studio in Lagos. He also recently caught the attention of French President Emmanuel Macron. Watch the video above to learn more about this amazing…
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A Look at the Superfly Soundtrack, Then and Now
Superfly, the remake of the classic flick Super Fly, hits theaters today. The filmâs soundtrack is executive-produced by Future. Future, Imma let you finish, but the original Super Fly (1972) had one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time. Produced by Curtis Mayfield with songs like âLittle Child Runninâ Wild,â âPushermanâ and âGive Me…
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Why Everyone Needs to Know About Alice Marie Johnson, the Great-Grandmother Who Is Serving a Life Sentence [Update: Johnsonâs Sentence Commuted]
Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 3:53 p.m. EDT: President Donald Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnsonâs sentence on Wednesday, and she will be released from prison after spending 21 years behind bars for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense. Trump didnât give Johnson a full pardon, which would have cleared her record. Instead, he opted to reduce…
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Artist Hank Willis Thomas Shines Spotlight on the Power of Protest
Americaâs No. 1 protest artist? Forget Banksyâmeet Hank Willis Thomas. The African-American conceptual artist challenges ideas and oppression through themes of pop culture. Heâs gained a huge following in the art and celebrity community, among them art lover Swizz Beats. Whether itâs photography, sculptures, installations or video, the messages are deeper than they appear on…
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Watch: Kerry James Marshall Just Sold the Most Expensive Painting by a Living African-American Artist [Updated]
Updated: Friday, May 18, 2018, 11:14 a.m. EDT: Plot twistâturns out, none other than Sean âDiddyâ Combs was the mystery buyer of the Kerry James Marshall painting. The mogul made his bid through another buyer via phone. Marshallâs dealer told the New York Times that Combs was introduced to the artistâs work by fellow producer…
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Watch: Teens March 50 Miles in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
A group of teens began a 50-mile march in Mississippi on March 31 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination. The group, which includes adult mentors, will finish its march on April 4 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., where King was killed on April…
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Watch: Strange Case Has Michael Bennett Facing Up to 10 Years in Prison
The Root 100 honoree and NFL star Michael Bennett posted bail after turning himself in Monday in Houston. He was indicted last week on a felony charge of causing injury to the elderly during the 2017 Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles defensive end allegedly injured the shoulder of a 66-year-old paraplegic woman at the event…
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Watch: Snoop Is Making Millions in Green With His New Cannabis Investment Firm
Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg, has became a major player in the ancillary cannabis industry after co-founding Casa Verde Capital and acquiring $45 million from investors. The ancillary business involves companies that never touch the actual productâfrom tech startups to weed-focused attorneys. Watch the video above to learn more.
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Watch: Ava DuVernayâs Magical Journey to A Wrinkle in Time
The self-proclaimed âfilm geekâ Ava DuVernay spoke to The Root about her transition from film publicist to director and her love for making documentaries, and she shares strong advice for African-American filmmakers: A lot of us wait for permission. We have been indoctrinated socially in our society to ask for permission. Itâs our unfortunate legacy…
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Watch: Issa Rae Is Still Rooting for Everybody Black (and Female)
Issa Rae spoke at the LinkedIn panel discussion held at the Art of Elysium Center on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Insecure star and creator discussed the importance of creating opportunities for people of color, as well as the importance of women demanding their worth in the workplace. Watch the full video above.
