About Ernest Owens

Ernest Owens is the Editor at Large of Philadelphia magazine and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. The award-winning journalist has written for The New York Times, NBC News, USA Today and several other major publications. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and ernestowens.com.

All Articles

August 7, 2023
The superstar was forced to apologize for an Instagram post that unfairly drew accusations of antisemitism.
the little mermaid
Watching clips of Black girls seeing themselves in Halle Bailey’s rendition of Ariel is more promising than what studies showed in the ’40s. 
The constant sharing of fatphobic videos from comedians and haters about the musical superstar gives these trolls exactly what they want.
2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals
Although wrong is wrong—and two don’t make it right—it always seems to be a double standard when Black people are caught in the crosshairs.
Sunday night’s Academy Awards took an interesting turn when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a “G.I. Jane” joke about his wife.
I was shaken by the news that Russia had detained WNBA star Brittney Griner on allegations that she had vape cartridges in her luggage.
February 7, 2022
After dodging questions about her use of a “blaccent,” Awkwafina issued a passive statement that did more addressing than apologizing.
Closing Arguments Delivered In Actor Jussie Smollett's Trial
If you had doubts about actor Jussie Smollett’s account of what happened to him on that super cold Chicago night in 2019, you’re not alone.
Jennifer Hough and Nicki Minaj, theGrio.com
September 23, 2021
Whether you’re a “Barb” who stans for all things Nicki Minaj — you gotta admit that your fave got some explaining to do.
Actor Michael K. Williams, theGrio.com
September 7, 2021
Williams gave us tough, nuanced representations of queer men on screen in an industry that scared cis-het Black entertainers from doing such.
Rapper Boosie Baddazz (left) and Lil Nas X, theGrio.com
September 4, 2021
Another day, another unnecessary time for Boosie Badazz to show how he can’t help but have Lil Nas X’s name in his mouth.
DaBaby performs on stage during Rolling Loud
DaBaby’s performance and homophobic remarks at Rolling Loud Miami were uncalled for. But just like hate itself, it has no rhyme or reason.
Adam Mendelsohn and Rachel Nichols, theGrio.com
July 12, 2021
The leaked audio convo between Nichols and Mendelsohn at ESPN proves that you can be an ally in public and privately engage white supremacy.
Lil Nas X, theGrio.com
Following his same-sex kiss at the BET Awards, Lil Nas X has people in their feelings again. Can y’all please shut up and move on?
George Floyd's Brother Attends Unveiling Of Memorial Portrait In Brooklyn
May 25, 2021
George Floyd’s murder reawakened a racial uprising that America hadn’t seen in decades — ushering in a new wave of activism.
theGRIO.com
May 12, 2021
Opinion: The constant wave of punishing Black people for simply stating “Black Lives Matter” is reinforcing white supremacy.
"Them: Convenant"
“Them” doesn’t say anything new or provocative about race, except give us more graphic images of Black suffering repackaged as horror.
April 1, 2021
Amid the pandemic, social media has transformed thanks Clubhouse, an emerging app that’s gotten the attention of Black users worldwide.
Black history is currently being made at rapid speed. We must embrace it now rather than wait for it to be recorded in the history books.
November 9, 2020
Until white people confront the racism within the institutions they lead and the networks they affiliate with, Trumpism isn’t going anywhere.