The Root

Former Green Bay Packers star Ahman Green has revealed that he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease last year. The 49-year-old running back, who earned four Pro Bowl selections during his eight seasons with the Packers, shared the diagnosis on Tyler Dunne’s “Go Long” podcast.

Green said he first noticed symptoms including twitching in his feet while sleeping. Since his diagnosis, he has focused on maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and consistently taking his medication.

. @crockett.house.gov (D-TX) says the challenges facing Black communities aren’t isolated incidents, but they’re connected by systems that too often fail to deliver equal justice, opportunity, and accountability. 🎥 Watch her remarks at the National Urban League on July 30.

Cynthia Erivo is stepping into the role of a legend 🎤 The Oscar-nominated actor and Grammy, Emmy, and Tony winner has been cast as Miriam Makeba in “The Road Home,” an upcoming film exploring the artists and friendships that helped shape Paul Simon’s landmark “Graceland” album.

The cast also includes John Legend as Harry Belafonte and Thabo Rametsi as South African jazz icon Hugh Masekela. Before you decide if she’s the perfect choice, take a minute to enjoy both of these unforgettable performances 🎶

Now do you think Cynthia Erivo is the right person to bring “Mama Africa” to life? Tell us in the comments.

Tameka Erving, mother of Daniel Erving, gave an emotional address at a news conference alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump on Thursday.

Erving recounted the day her son went missing on April 13 and says he left behind his ID, Social Security card, and money. She says the police did not help her and believes her son did not drown but was murdered.

Lucas Roper, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile have both been charged with tampering with physical evidence after allegedly tossing his belongings and deleting evidence from his cellphone.

John Legend is stepping into the role of a legend. The EGOT winner has been cast as the late Harry Belafonte in “The Road Home,” an upcoming drama set during South Africa’s apartheid era. The film follows jazz icon Hugh Masekela as he navigates the global fight against apartheid.

Legend, who considered Belafonte a friend and mentor, said taking on the role is deeply personal. “He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders.” Will you be watching? 🎬

Our girl and tennis star Naomi Osaka hosted a cookout meet and greet at Mubadala DC Open and creator Nik captured the moment beautifully 🎾

Some of gospel’s biggest voices are heading to Las Vegas for a residency this fall. “Legends of Gospel: Vegas Residency” is the first of its kind in over 60 years and is set to take place October 8-9.

The Grammy-winning Clark Sisters, often called the “First Ladies of Gospel,” will be joined by Grammy-winning vocalist, writer, and producer Fred Hammond and singer and writer Deitrick Haddon.

“It’s redefining what’s possible for Gospel music,” said show producer Keesha Brickhouse. How do you feel about these artists performing in Sin City? Let us know in the comments.

“For years, I have envisioned bringing Gospel to Las Vegas on this scale,” executive producer Holly Carter said. “To now unite legendary artists in a groundbreaking residency is more than a milestone; it’s a moment.”

Black men and boys are facing an economic reality that stretches from the classroom to the workplace. Now, a new report says the problems are getting worse.

The first annual “Economic State of Black Men and Boys in the United States” report — released by the John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership — takes a hard look at over 20 million Black American men and boys, finding a slew of warning signs.

Learn more: www.theroot.com/new-report-e...

Mayor Zohran Mamdani says New York City can’t ignore its role in the legacy of slavery. In an exclusive interview with The Root, Charles M. Blow asked whether Mamdani would support cash reparations if New York City’s reparations commission ultimately recommends them.

Mamdani said he stands by his previous statement that New York City was “very complicit” in the slave trade and emphasized the importance of acknowledging that history. “I stand by what I submitted. It’s the truth.”

While he stopped short of endorsing cash payments before the commission releases its findings, he said confronting the city’s past is a necessary step toward accountability.

Community organizer Auon’tai M. Anderson appeared before the Aurora City Council again to call them out about the lack of action regarding the deaths of Black men in the city. Without cursing he did not hold back on his opinions of the council members. Take a listen and take notes!

Black activist, journalist, and writer Mumia Abu-Jamal has filed a petition with the United Nations seeking his release after exhausting all other legal avenues.

The 72-year-old co-founded Philadelphia’s Black Panther chapter and served as president of the city’s Association of Black Journalists. He was convicted in 1982 of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner after a confrontation that also left Abu-Jamal shot in the chest.

After spending 28 years on death row, his death sentence was overturned and changed to life without parole when his original sentencing was ruled unconstitutional. Abu-Jamal has long maintained that his trial was unfair and says multiple aspects of the case were unjust.

YouTuber and children’s advocate Ms. Rachel weighed in on the Nolan Wells case, saying the 18-year-old’s family deserves justice. She then went on to write, “We know the investigation and everything that followed would have been different if Nolan Wells were white and his friends were Black.”

Wells was found dead off the Gulf Coast of Mississippi over the Fourth of July weekend after a trip with his friends. The case has come under national scrutiny, and Wells’ family is still searching for answers.

What do you think of the backlash Ms. Rachel continues to receive? Tell us in the comments below.

Ms. Rachel, who is white, has since posted sentiments that Black boys deserve to grow up and that she believes in standing up for what’s right. “I also love & have empathy for every person. That includes people who hate me. That includes people who disagree with me,” she wrote. “Love is it for me.”

Over the last few years, Ms. Rachel has come under fire for sharing public support for children in Gaza, as well as those facing ICE detainment. Now, she’s speaking up for Black boys like Nolan Wells.

The comments on her Instagram posts were flooded with supporters, as well as some telling her to stay in her lane. But the 43-year-old educator hasn’t stopped sharing her thoughts.

Writer and former Black Panther leader Mumia Abu-Jamal — who has been held as a political prisoner in Pennsylvania for nearly 45 years — is now seeking UN intervention. On Tuesday, the 72-year-old filed a petition with the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Abu-Jamal is serving a life sentence without possibility of parole. He was convicted in 1982 of first-degree murder in the death of police officer Daniel Faulkner in Philadelphia. He has always maintained his innocence.

“I’ve rarely, if ever, placed my hope in courts of law,” he said. “But I do trust in people, as people are the ones who build movements and make change.” The activist’s imprisonment has been protested by celebrities the world over, including Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, Spike Lee, and Paul Newman.

“Hope is an element of struggle, is it not?” Abu-Jamal said by phone to The Guardian. “As we used to say in the old days, ‘A luta continua.’”

His legal team — including members of the Abolitionist Law Center, ACLU, and Center for Constitutional Rights — argues that he has been denied his fundamental rights under international law due to racial bias, prosecutorial misconduct, and denial of a fair trial.

@mayor.nyc.gov @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social opened up to The Root about his evolving relationship with President Donald Trump, which has included both public attacks and private conversations at the White House.

Mamdani told journalist @charlesmblow.bsky.social that he has directly challenged Trump over immigration policy, including his belief that ICE is “cruel,” “inhumane” and should be abolished.

Still, Mamdani said he is willing to work with the president when it could benefit New Yorkers, particularly on zoning and federal investment in housing. Watch the full interview on The Root’s YouTube channel.

An 11-year-old Florida boy is proving that kindness can change lives. For the past two years, Nehemiah Turner has volunteered with the Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading program, reading to shelter animals to help calm and comfort them while they wait to be adopted.

Now, he’s become the first child in the program to reach 100 hours of reading. One of Nehemiah’s favorite dogs was Hopper, whom he read to during every visit until the pup found a forever home after spending nearly 400 days at the shelter. “I hope my reading helps soothe them,” Nehemiah shared.

A new Black Panther has officially been crowned and the Internet has thoughts. Ten years after the late Chadwick Boseman first brought King T’Challa to life, Marvel has announced that British actor David Jonsson, 32, will take over the iconic role.

Some fans have questioned why Marvel chose a British actor instead of an American like Boseman, while others say Jonsson is still relatively unknown. At the same time, many fans are celebrating the casting and are excited to see his take on Black Panther.

theroot.comWhy Black Folks Are Mad at Marvel’s New British Black Panther – The Root

What do you think of Marvel’s choice? Read the full story: www.theroot.com/why-black-fo...

The reveal came during Marvel’s presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler surprised fans with the announcement to roaring applause. Online, however, the reaction has been mixed.

“Black New Yorkers have borne the brunt of this crisis,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told The Root in an exclusive interview. Speaking with Charles M. Blow, Mamdani said New York has lost over 200k Black residents over the past few decades, calling it a “reversal of the Great Migration.”

“It’s not for a lack of love for this city. They just haven’t been able to afford New York.” Watch the full interview on The Root’s YouTube and tell us in the comments: Can an affordability agenda help reverse New York City’s Black exodus?

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opened up to The Root about how his African roots have shaped his identity and worldview. Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani shared that his father gave him the middle name Kwame after Ghana’s first prime minister and president, pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah.