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About Haniyah P.

Haniyah Philogene is an award-winning multimedia storyteller and staff writer at theGrio, where she covers the intersection of culture, identity, and current events. Driven by a passion for storytelling and digital media, she focuses on uncovering untold narratives and finding innovative ways to share stories that center on Black figures and cultural trends.

Before joining theGrio, Haniyah served as a Leadership & Communities editorial contributor for Forbes, specifically covering diverse faces and identities within business and leadership. Her experience also includes a prestigious fellowship with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Microsoft, a program dedicated to developing the next generation of emerging storytellers.

Throughout her career, Haniyah has reported on a wide range of topics, from the impact of corporate social justice commitments to the entrepreneurial journeys of industry leaders like Yvette Noel-Schure. Her work is characterized by a "reading between the lines" approach, making complex cultural developments accessible and engaging for a digital audience.
Areas of Expertise

Trend, Culture & Lifestyle Reporting
Beauty & Fashion
Entertainment
Live event coverage
Multimedia Storytelling
Business & Leadership Profiles
Social Justice & Corporate Accountability

Professional Experience

Lifestyle Reporter — theGrio (Present)
Editorial Contributor/Intern — Forbes
NABJ/Microsoft Fellow — National Association of Black Journalists

Education

Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications – Columbia University
Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Magazine, News & Digital Journalism — S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University

All Articles

Rachel Lindsay, Rachel Lindsay Bachelorette, Bachelorette Taylor Lindsey Frankie Paul, theGrio.com
March 25, 2026
Rachel Lindsay, the first Black "Bachelorette," recalls being t"too risky" and now reflects on what happened with Taylor Frankie Paul.
Bridgerton, Bridgerton season 5, bridgerton queer, Bridgerton Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton LGBTQ, Shonda Rhimes interracial relationships
March 25, 2026
Fans applaud “Bridgerton” first queer couple, while others question Shonda Rhimes’ storytelling and approach to representation and romance
Jay Z, Jay-z GQ, Jay-Z interview, Jay-Z sexual assault, Jay-Z Nas, Jay-Z J. Cole, Jay-Z Blue Ivy
March 24, 2026
During his recent sit-down with GQ, Jay-Z offered a rare glimpse into his thoughts about his sexual assault case, rap…
Solange son, Julez Solange, Julez Tommie Lee, Julez age, Tommie Lee age, Solange age, age gap relationships theGrio.com
March 24, 2026
Rumors about Solange’s son Julez Smith, 21, and Tommie Lee, 41, reignites conversations about age-gap relationships.
Mary Hamilton, miss mary hamilton, mary hamilton court case, mary hamilton supreme court, who is mary hamilton theGrio.com
March 23, 2026
In 1963, Miss Mary Hamilton was held in contempt when officials failed to call her Miss. In 1964, the US…
Paapa Esseidu Harry Potter, Paapa Esseidu Harry Potter controversy, Harry Potter casting controversy theGrio.com
March 23, 2026
From death threats to boycotts, the backlash against Paapa Esseidu's “Harry Potter” casting echoes a long, ugly pattern across Hollywood.
BTS, BTS Howard University, BTS arirang Howard, BTS Howard, Korean students Howard University theGrio.com
March 20, 2026
A BTS promo video sparked backlash, and revealed a forgotten piece of Black history tied to Howard University.
Latto, Latto pregnancy, is Latto pregnant?, Latto baby, Latto baby daddy, Latto 21 Savage, Latto relationship theGrio.com
March 20, 2026
Latto confirmed her pregnancy through new music, but social media is more focused on whose hand is in the video…
Gyrl Wonder, Gayle King, Danessa Myricks, Jordan Chiles, Gyrl Wonder Women of Impact gala theGrio.com
March 19, 2026
Honoring Gayle King, Jordan Chiles, and more Gyrl Wonder’s Women of Impact Gala, celebrated 11 years of investing in young…
Ciara SXSW, Ciara HIV, Ciara Gilead, Ciara 1,2 Step, HIV prevention theGrio.com
March 19, 2026
Partnering with Gilead, Ciara is using her music to encourage education, protection, and broader conversations around PrEP & HIV prevention.
Anita Lewis and Gwendolyn Ebron, Guinness World Record for the longest history lesson, Black history Guinness World Record,
March 18, 2026
“This is more than a record attempt,” Anita Lewis and Gwendolyn Ebron on their potentially record-breaking Black history lesson.
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall show, Tamron Hall show renewed, Tamron Hall season 8, Tamron Hall new season theGrio.com
March 18, 2026
The Tamron Hall Show has been renewed for a new season despite the ever-changing landscape of media and daytime talk…
Chiney Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike show, Chiney Ogwumike espn, Chiney Today, theGrio.com
March 18, 2026
Former WNBA All-Star, Chiney Ogwumike, brings culture, conversation, and courtside insight to “Chiney Today.”
kevi hart, kevin hart wax figure
March 18, 2026
‘I demand a redo,’ comedian Kevin Hart reacts to a recently revealed, viral wax figure that is supposed to reflect…
Mystikal, Mystikal jail, Mystikal sexual assault
March 18, 2026
Mystikal reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the case that led to his 2022…
Beyoncé Cecred, Cécred, Cécred styling products, Cécred styling
March 17, 2026
Beyoncé's haircare brand Cécired is expanding beyond wash day with seven new styling products designed to perform under pressure.
chaka Khan, Chak Khan musical. I'm every woman musical
March 17, 2026
“I’ve been trying to find a way to tell the history of my life for quite some time,” Chaka Khan…
Zendaya, Zendaya married, is zendaya married?, Zendaya wedding, zendaya AI photos theGrio.com
March 17, 2026
Zendaya admits that “many people have been fooled” by AI-generated photos of her and Tom Holland’s rumored wedding.
Delrouy Lindo, Delroy Lindo Spike Lee, Spike Lee Sinners, Delroy Lindo Oscars theGrio.com
March 17, 2026
"I wanted a little more love for Sinners,” Spike Lee reacts to Delroy Lindo not winning Oscars’ Best Supporting Actor…
Teyana Taylor, Teyana Taylor Oscars, tEYANA Taylor Oscars security guard, Oscars Security, The Academy Teyana Taylor theGrio.com
March 17, 2026
The Academy has issued a statement after Teyana Taylor confront ‘very rude’ security guard who ‘shoved’ her at the Oscars.