The Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson made history when she became the first African American female Justice on the United States Supreme Court in June 2022.

But Justice Jackson says she wouldn’t be where she is today without her parents and mentors who poured values into her like the importance of determination and hard work. She writes about those values and more in her new memoir “Lovely One,” a love letter to those she credits with helping her shatter the glass ceiling. The title is a direct translation of her given first and middle names – Ketanji Onyika.

In an exclusive interview with The Root, Justice Jackson shared how she kept the faith on her journey to the Supreme Court and some of the best advice she received along the way.

Justice Jackson says her parents, both public school teachers, were firm believers in the value of education, adding that it was her father, who decided to go to law school when she was young, who introduced her to the idea of pursuing a career in law herself.

“Some of my very first memories are sitting at the kitchen table in our apartment on the University of Miami law school campus with him studying and me with my coloring books,” she said. “I always thought about law and my parents just never gave me the option of not doing anything that I wanted to do. They instilled in me that kind of grit and determination, so I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.”

But while she was forging ahead towards her goals, Justice Jackson admits there were roadblocks along the way, including people who didn’t make it easy for her to take her place on the Supreme Court – something evident during her often contentious confirmation hearings before the Senate.

“I was fortunate to have very good people who worked with me to prepare me for the hearings, including a White House staffer who at one point said ‘You can get angry or you can be a Supreme Court Justice,’ and that stuck with me because it really made a difference,” she said.

Justice Jackson says she saw those hearings as an opportunity to show her ability to keep her cool under pressure, which is a huge part of the job description.

“You’re going to face things on the bench that may make you want to scream, but you can’t do that. And so I wanted to portray what I think is my ability to respond to things with an even temperament.”

While she understands the importance of her historic appointment, Justice Jackson says she can’t forget those who paved the way for her, including Constance Baker Motley, the first Black female federal judge, who she calls her “forever role model” and Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Justice on the Supreme Court.

“I have his clock in my office, and it’s a wonderful connection to him and his legacy on the court,” she said. “I feel like I have the responsibility to serve the American people to the best of my ability. That’s my duty as a judge.”

Justice Jackson says she hopes readers will feel uplifted after reading her book and understand how grateful she is to have the unique opportunity to serve on the highest court in our nation – a position she has worked towards her entire life.

“I was to give advice [to someone reading this book], I would tell them what I told my daughters in my speech during my investiture before the District Court, ‘work hard, be kind, have faith and know that anything is possible.’”

9

Katherine Hughes just dropped by The Wayne Ayers Podcast to chat about all things “Tell Me Lies” on Hulu, her acting journey, and the craziness of playing a character stuck in a toxic relationship.

If you’re a fan of Hughes from “My Dead Ex” or “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” you’ll love hearing her dish on her character Molly and what’s going down in season 2. She talks about playing the seemingly chill and nice friend when everyone else is dealing with emotional manipulation and all the drama that comes with young adult relationships.

But “Tell Me Lies” isn’t all Hughes has going on! She dives into her career path, from guest starring on shows like “Law & Order: SVU” to leading the charge in web series and movies. She makes it clear she loves playing characters with depth, and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Want to hear the full interview and get a glimpse into Hughes’ acting style and the kind of roles she digs? Check out the entire episode here.

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When four gunshots rang out one summer in Brownsville, a group of people ran toward the sound to prevent any bloodshed — but they weren’t police officers.

This group, known as violence interrupters, is part of an experiment designed to place community members on the front lines, deescalating situations that law enforcement would typically respond to first.

They are the focus of “Policing Our Own,” a forthcoming documentary by screenwriter and filmmaker Dante DeBlasio. DeBlasio, 26, says he wanted to shine a light on these violence interrupters to showcase the power of alternative approaches to reaching the community.

“It’s not just about community members responding to calls for help; it’s about offering on-the-ground resources too — everything from access to therapy to helping people register to vote,” DeBlasio says in an interview with theGrio.

In the 18-minute documentary, DeBlasio highlights how NYPD officer Terrell Anderson developed the Brownsville Safety Alliance (BSA) program, which allows violence interrupters to take over certain police calls.

“A police officer came up with what most people would consider a very radical public safety experiment,” DeBlasio tells theGrio.

The film primarily follows Dushoun “Bigga” Almond, a violence interrupter who turned his life around after serving time for armed robbery. Almond uses the credibility he earned on the streets to become a trusted figure in the community, defusing conflicts with his larger-than-life personality and genuine concern for others.

In the film’s most moving scenes, Almond leverages his charisma to deescalate tense situations, showing empathy and understanding.

“Violence interrupters are often people who were formerly incarcerated or gang members who may not have access to the traditionally ‘desirable’ jobs in society,” says DeBlasio. “Many don’t have college degrees, but if you can provide them with jobs that allow them to positively impact their communities, it’s a win-win.”

DeBlasio believes that these nontraditional methods can prevent deadly encounters with police officers who may not yet have earned the trust of community members or who might be interacting with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

As the son of former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and activist Chirlane McCray, Dante says his personal political experiences have shaped his views on public safety.

“You could argue that the defining issue of my dad’s first mayoral campaign in 2013 was ‘stop and frisk,’” DeBlasio recalls. “I was in his commercials, speaking out against that policy… Growing up in the political world, I spent a lot of time talking to figures in policing and public safety. It gave me an appreciation of what all sides are trying to accomplish, their successes, and the challenges they face.”

Other cities have documented success with violence interrupter programs. In Chicago, for instance, it’s estimated that for every dollar invested in these programs, the city saved $3 to $5, according to the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention. These savings are crucial when considering that gun violence is estimated to cost the U.S. around $280 billion annually.

In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration called for increased investment in community violence intervention, and Congress made history by earmarking $50 million to fund programs focused on violence interruption.

Through public education on the impact of violence interrupters, DeBlasio hopes to inspire greater investment in similar initiatives. “Policing Our Own” is expected to make its public debut through a film festival, and DeBlasio is looking to partner with organizations that are willing to amplify the project.

“I’m not suggesting that violence interrupters should replace the police or that law enforcement doesn’t play a critical role in society,” DeBlasio tells theGrio.

“The name of the game has to be cooperation, and it has to be empowering organizations like these that want to make a difference in the communities, that do make a difference in their communities.”

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19

A tragic shooting unfolded at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, roughly 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, on Wednesday morning. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an active shooter at the school around 10:30 AM EDT.

Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following the incident, which has resulted in at least four fatalities. Additionally, approximately 30 people sustained injuries, though the exact nature and extent of these injuries remain unclear at this time.

BREAKING: 4 dead and about 30 injured at the Apalachee High School sh**ting in Winder, Georgia according to CNN.

The suspect is in custody and is “of student age” according to the outlet.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smit says they are scrambling to find answers and warned that it… pic.twitter.com/mMGrtJ5f1u

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 4, 2024

A large contingent of law enforcement, along with ambulances and a medical helicopter, quickly converged on the scene as the situation unfolded. The school was placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of students, who were later reunited with their families in a controlled process.

In response to the shooting, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to assist with the ongoing situation. The FBI’s Atlanta division is also involved in the investigation, providing additional support as authorities work to determine the full scope of the tragedy.

While the final number of casualties has yet to be confirmed, efforts to reunite students with their families continue. As this is an ongoing investigation, further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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Lee Daniels’ new Netflix thriller “The Deliverance” has sparked a lot of discussion on social media. Everyone’s favorite topic seems to be Glenn Close as Alberta, a grandmother trying to protect her family from a demon that has invaded their home. For many viewers, it was shocking to see Close—who most well known for her roles in films like “Dangerous Liaisons,” “101 Dalmatians” and “Fatal Attraction,”—play a religious woman who can braid her, prefers Black men, has a creole accent and has a Black daughter. It was quite the transformation for the acclaimed actress, and Black audiences noticed.

Yes, there’s criticism from those who feel the character didn’t need to be added to the movie—which is loosely based on a true story—but most of that is directed at Daniels. While the film itself is receiving somewhat mixed reviews, the performances of Close and her co-stars, Andra Day, Aujanue Ellis-Taylor and Mo’Nique, has been widely praised.

Since the film’s premiere on Friday, social media has been buzzing about the actress’ unforgettable turn as Alberta. It’s led to countless tweets, TikTok videos and Instagram posts.

One viewer touted the Tony winner’s scary appearance, writing on Instagram, “Thanks to ‘The Deliverance’ for making sure Glenn Close is in my nightmares forever.”

Alongside a clip from the movie, one user pointed out how shocked they were to see the “Guardians of the Galaxy” star in this role, writing on X, “I never thought in all my days that I would see THEE Glenn Close doing a sew in with French manicure tips, chewing gum like a cow, with a cajun accent and doing the ‘girl straighten yo head up’ move.”

Another person was equally surprised to see the award-winning actress as such an unexpected character, posting, “I never thought [I’d] see Glenn Close doing a motherfuckin sew in.”

TikTok user Double Toasted found the actress unrecognizable explaining they originally thought, “Who’s this light skinned Black woman they got right here?”

The scene that has everyone talking features Alberta possessed by the demon and has some choice words for her daughter, including a shocking description of her lady parts. One person joked about the filmmaker having the “Swan Song” actress perform this dialogue, writing on TikTok, “This scene from ‘The Deliverance’ on Netflix is wild. you will pay for your Crimes for having Glenn Close say this.”

One user wondered if “Glenn ‘Ms. Alberta’ Close [is] invited to the cookout?”

Meanwhile someone else on TikTok replied to a review video asking the actress to step outside the box again, writing, “Glenn Close need to come over to our neck of the woods more often.”

If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, “The Deliverance” is now streaming on Netflix.

Eve may be a happily married mother and bonus mom now, but she is ready to share that she’s one of many women who has endured multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications.

Ahead of the release of her upcoming book “Who’s That Girl? A Memoir,” published by HarperCollins on Sept. 17, the rapper-actress, 45, has revealed her complex motherhood journey and that it involved having to hide an ectopic pregnancy she experienced while filming her sitcom “Eve” in 2006.

“I told them all it was appendicitis,” she writes of the trauma in an excerpt of her upcoming memoir.

“It was called a tubal pregnancy, where the embryonic sac ruptured in my one fallopian tube. It’s also known as an ectopic pregnancy,” she continued. “I had to have emergency surgery and stop filming the show for two weeks. I don’t know why I lied to everyone on set and said that my appendix had ruptured, really. Maybe because I was lying to myself.”

She shared she lost “so much” weight following the procedure and the pressure that added to the starlet who still had to walk red carpets at that time.

“It’s like I’ve said before, sometimes I did whatever it took to show up and get the job done … even if it was to my own detriment,” she wrote.

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According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, an ectopic pregnancy is an adverse pregnancy complication in which the fetus develops outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies, which impact roughly 2% of pregnancies, cannot be safely carried to full term. The life-saving care Eve received in 2006 is currently up for debate in many parts of the country. Black women also experience ectopic pregnancies at disproportionate rates to their white counterparts. 

In the almost two decades since that incident, the singer and actress took a step back from the entertainment industry, married British businessman Maximillion Cooper, 52, and welcomed their first child together, a son, Wilde Wolf, 2. Speaking to People magazine about the book and her life now, she told the publication how “grateful” she is; Eve’s motherhood journey has reportedly also involved miscarriage, surgery to remove fibroids and multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization.

“You question yourself, your body, the universe, God, so many things,” she told the publication. “I told my husband [about the miscarriage] when we got close, but never ever spoke about it in public, not even [while I was hosting] ‘The Talk.’”

While filming the show “Queens” in 2021, her pregnancy with Wilde began on uncertain footing as he came from a mosaic embryo — an embryo that has different proportions of both normal and abnormal cells, increasing the chances of complications. Accordingly, she kept the fact that she was expecting to herself for months until she was more comfortable with how it was developing.

“I couldn’t tell anybody then because it was such a new pregnancy,” she explained, adding, “I, 100%, was acting like an absolute crazy person [on set]. It was baking in L.A., so I was asking for ice to be put down my back. When I finally told the girls that I was pregnant months into shooting, they were like, ‘That’s why you were acting crazy. Thank God that you weren’t a psycho diva.’”

Eve credits Wilde with helping her heal and process her difficult journey to motherhood — and her past in general.

She told People magazine, “Having my son has a lot to do with feeling like I can talk about this past stuff, because here is — literally — my future,” she says. “I don’t have anything to chase beyond the things that I want to build for him, [and] us as a family.”

27

Sabrina Carpenter is taking the charts by storm, cementing her place as one of pop music’s brightest stars. This week, Carpenter’s latest single, “Taste,” debuts at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her third top 10 hit. But that’s just the beginning of this impressive feat—Sabrina has not one, not two, but three songs in the Top 5 of the Hot 100.

Joining “Taste” at #2 are “Please Please Please” at #3 and “Espresso” at #4. This achievement places her in elite company, as Sabrina becomes only the third woman in history, alongside Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, to chart at least three songs simultaneously in the Top 5 of the Hot 100.

But the accolades don’t stop there. Sabrina Carpenter is now in the same league as The Beatles, having charted her first three Top 5 hits—all at the same time. This is an extraordinary accomplishment, placing her in a historical context with one of the most iconic bands of all time.

In an unprecedented move, Sabrina’s entire album, Short n’ Sweet, has taken over the Hot 100, with all 12 tracks making their debut in the Top 50. Here’s how the album is performing:

• #2. “Taste”






• #3. “Please Please Please”






• #4. “Espresso”






• #14. “Bed Chem”






• #15. “Good Graces”






• #21. “Sharpest Tool”






• #22. “Juno”






• #26. “Coincidence”






• #27. “Slim Pickins”






• #32. “Dumb & Poetic”






• #35. “Don’t Smile”






• #41. “Lie to Girls”

Short n’ Sweet isn’t just an album—it’s a chart-dominating force. From irresistible pop hooks to deeply personal lyrics, each track has struck a chord with fans and critics alike. Sabrina’s unprecedented success is a testament to her growing influence and the undeniable impact of her music.

As she continues to break records and redefine what it means to be a pop star in today’s music landscape, one thing is clear: Sabrina Carpenter is here to stay, and she’s rewriting the rulebook on her terms. Keep your eyes on the charts—this is only the beginning.

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Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

There’s a certain joy that comes with being known as a person who not only watches but enjoys any and all manner of Black cinema. I’m a person whose algorithm-suggested movies (regardless of platform) typically star people for whom IMDb is more likely to be a street name or song title than a place to warehouse film credits. I’m not saying that I don’t watch high-brow films — shouts out to Tyler Perry — but I also enjoy the kind of movies that pair well with low-vibrational plates. 

With that said, it took me quite a while to finish watching Lee Daniels’ latest offering, “The Deliverance,” playing now on Netflix. It’s a movie about the Jackson family in Pittsburgh, Pa., who move into a haunted house. Andra Day plays Ebony Jackson, a mean alcoholic of a mother, whose kids’ souls are overtaken by demons, requiring Ebony to fight her own internal demons to save her family. 

Despite my leanings as a non-horror film chap, people who similarly indulge in Blackness and shenanigans — and especially Black shenanigans — have continued to suggest to me to watch the movie. So I finally did and baaaaaaaby … I have all of the thoughts, prayers (but, of course) and concerns. I’d like to share them with you. Can I kick it? 

And yes, I realize this movie is “based on a true story.” I would bet money that the people whose life story inspired this film asked “Whose mans is this?” several times while watching it, assuming they did because this movie is unserious. 

There will be spoilers. 

1. This movie is not a horror film. It is a comedy masquerading as a horror movie. 

Listen, I’ve watched truly scary movies before. “The Deliverance” ain’t that. In fact, I straight up busted out laughing SEVERAL times while watching this film. The quotables alone (one of which I couldn’t print here without several layers of approval) made me laugh. Straight up, I kept WAITING for a member of the Wayans family to make a surprise appearance. While this movie is definitely not for kids, it is also not a scary movie that you need to watch with all of the lights on. 

2. Andra Day is both the best and worst actor in this movie. 

There were parts of this movie where I felt like she was going to get an Oscar nod; her Philly accent alone had me looking up her biography because I just knew she was actually from California (she is). And the way she ran up on the corner boys who messed with her kid?? Stellar. But then there’s the rest of the film where, ya know, the material is gon’ material. And I suppose she did the best she could. Horror films tend to be more about the payoff than the journey, but parts of this journey were struggle-icious. She did give her all in the “deliverance” scenes, and so between laughs, I was like “Go Andra Go!” I think that counts for something.

3. Why is Glenn Close even in this movie? 

So, in real life, the Ammons family for whom this film is based are a Black family from Gary, Indiana. Lee Daniels decided to make Ebony Jackson’s mother, Alberta (Glenn Close) a white woman who only dates Black men and I suppose … keeps it real? Daniels’ is very proud of himself for this by the way. He also went so far as to call the Alberta character the “part of the fabric of the community.” Girl, I guess. But character aside, like, why on earth was she even here? I know actors love a challenge but, errum, I don’t see how she saw the script and was like, “That’s the role I’ve been waiting for.” Maybe that paycheck was undeniable. Shouts out to Andra Day and Glenn Close, though; their commitment is vital to this film’s success. Same with Aunjanue Ellis, who is also in this film.

You know what …

4. “The Deliverance” got me thinking about the worst films I’ve seen with the most talent. 

This film stars Andra Day, Mo’Nique, Omar Epps, Aunjanue Ellis, Glenn Close, and Caleb McLaughlin. I’m not saying this should have been an Academy Award-winning film considering everybody in it, but, I don’t know, I just felt like it had … more to give than it gave. When the movie was over I felt more like, “Well that took a turn” than “I can’t wait to watch that again.” For the record, I will never watch this movie again. I don’t know what the right answer to that question is by the way, the first worst-movie-but-loaded-with-talent film I can think of is “Kingdom Come” but maybe this is one of those situations where I’m the problem because my talent meter is broken because of the films I watch. 

Film

5. Rev. Bernice James (Aunjanue Ellis) — the one who does the deliverances —  is bad at her job. 

Rev. James follows Ebony and her kids around trying to determine if they need Jesus. As it turns out, they do and in a sit-down convo with Ebony, she offers her services. She mentions this one time when she was trying to do some deliverance work on the family in the house Ebony lives in and it didn’t work; the demon presence was too strong. Well, this woman tracked down Ebony to get another crack at it and failed AGAIN. That house beat her twice. I’m sure she’s a fine reverend. In one scene, we see her getting her congregation up in a tizzy. We also see her get choked out by an invisible spirit and dragged across the floor. House: 2, Rev. James: 0. I kind of tuned out so maybe she was killed (I am not about to go back and find out), but she definitely failed and left Ebony to finish the job. 

6. There was a better title for this movie that would have done a better job at expectation-setting: “Ebony Got Her Kids Back.” 

Despite this being a kinda-sorta based on a real thing movie, it really is a fantasy. The story has inspiration, but there is a significant distance between the real-life happenings and this. At one point in this film, Ebony loses her kids to the system. Ebony isn’t the best mother and if not for the fact that her kids’ father is deployed in Iraq or somewhere, I’m sure they’d be with him because the amount of stuff happening around Ebony is enough to make ANYBODY take those kids away. Her own daughter is worried that she’s going to go back to jail. 

Anywho, when the movie ends, and after Ebony has gotten the demon out of her youngest son (go Ebony!) she is in the kitchen with Mo’Nique, who plays the woman assigned by the state agency to look over their family for the sake of the kids. Somehow, Ebony thinks she is going to get her kids back. I have NO earthly idea why she’d think that’s a real thing. I would imagine those kids would be sent anywhere else but to stay with her. But alas, once the movie ends, there is a sentence right there on my screen that says, “Ebony got her kids back.” Bruh. For one, ain’t no way. For two, possessed kids notwithstanding, she seems like she needs some time to work on herself. 

Either way, when that sentence popped up on my screen, I thought to myself that “Ebony Got Her Kids Back” would have been a better title for the movie. It certainly would have put me in the mold of shenanigans. I don’t know, watch the movie and tell me what you think. I think I’m right. 

7. I have no idea if you should watch this movie or not. 

There are movies I’ve suggested people watch because the shenanigans are at an all-time level. This ain’t that. I have no desire to watch this movie again. At the same time, I understand why my community kept suggesting I watch it. It’s one of those films that you just want other people to see so you can talk about how ridiculous it is. It is neither the worst nor most ridiculous movie I’ve ever seen — a certain you-know-who has cornered the market on that genre — but it’s like an hour and a half and isn’t scary and you get to see Glenn Close play a role that doesn’t make any sense if you actually know who she is. Plus, she utters a two-word phrase that I’m fairly certain is the only time in her life she has ever said those words and that’s important. So I don’t know, I can’t call this one. Like, if you have nothing else to do, fire it up. If you have other things to do, maybe fire it up when you’re done with those things. 

Or you can be like me, and do it all for the culture, which I think is as good a reason as any. 

Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio and host of the award-winning podcast, “Dear Culture” on theGrio Black Podcast Network. He writes very Black things, drinks very brown liquors, and is pretty fly for a light guy. His biggest accomplishment to date coincides with his Blackest accomplishment to date in that he received a phone call from Oprah Winfrey after she read one of his pieces (biggest) but he didn’t answer the phone because the caller ID said “Unknown” (Blackest).

26

GRAMMY-winning global superstar Tyla has just dropped the official music video for her latest single, “Breathe Me,” taken from her record-setting debut album, TYLA. Directed by the visionary Nabil, the video marks the fourth visual release from her self-titled LP, following the massive success of “Water.” The “Breathe Me” video continues the story right where “Truth or Dare” left off, but this time, Tyla and her whirlwind romance take a tranquil and captivating detour in the vibrant streets of Osaka, Japan.

In a setting that feels almost dreamlike, Tyla and her partner embark on a date night that’s as exhilarating as it is intimate. The video captures the perfect balance between tension and tenderness, with the couple ditching their phones to fully immerse themselves in the adventure around them. The neon-lit alleys, serene shrines, and bustling nightlife of Osaka provide the perfect backdrop for Tyla’s emotive performance, making “Breathe Me” a visual and auditory treat for her fans.

“Breathe Me” is the latest in a series of stunning visuals from Tyla, who has been on an unstoppable roll since the release of her mega-hit “Water.” Together, the videos for fan favorites “Art,” “Jump,” and “Truth or Dare” have racked up an impressive 75 million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, “Water” has been nominated for ‘Best R&B Video’ at this year’s MTV VMAs, where Tyla is sure to shine once again.

The past year has been nothing short of monumental for Tyla. Her debut on the Billboard 200 set a new record, making her the highest-charting African female soloist in the chart’s history. This incredible achievement was followed by two 2024 BET Awards, where she took home the trophies for Best New Artist and Best International Act.

But Tyla’s success isn’t just limited to the charts. Earlier this year, she delivered a surprise performance at the Vogue x LVMH Prelude to the Olympics in Paris, hosted by Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour. With a star-studded audience that included Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Zendaya, Tyla’s live rendition of “Water” was described by Vogue as “unforgettable.”

Tyla’s summer has been packed with high-energy performances at some of the world’s biggest music festivals. From Lollapalooza in Chicago to Osheaga in Montreal and Outside Lands in San Francisco, Tyla has captivated audiences across North America. Abroad, she made her live debuts in Korea and Japan, including a standout performance at Japan’s Summer Sonic festival last month. In a recent interview with South Africa’s IOL, Tyla shared that fans at the festival were so dedicated they had tattoos of her signature, proving that the Tygers—Tyla’s fiercely loyal fanbase—are as global as her influence.

Next up for the unstoppable Tyla is a highly anticipated performance at Brazil’s Rock in Rio Festival on September 20. It’s clear that Tyla is just getting started, and the world is eager to see what she’ll do next.

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