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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

New York Times, New York Times lawsuit, New York Times EEOC, New York Times discrimination, New York Times discrimination white man theGrio.com
May 7, 2026
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims the New York Times engaged in “unlawful employment practices.”
Megan Thee Stallion, Megan thee stallion separate lives, megan thee stallion big mama theGrio.com
May 7, 2026
Megan Thee Stallion reflects on protecting her personal life, staying rooted in family, and navigating fame without losing herself.
Kwanza Jones, Kwanza Jones MLB, Kwanza Jones Padres, Kwanza Jones San Diego Padres, Black woman owner MLB theGrio.com
May 6, 2026
Kwanza Jones $3.9 billion deal with the San Diego Padres could usher in the league’s first Black woman majority owner.
L. Louise Lucas, Louise Lucas raid, FBI Louise Lucas. FBI raid Louise Lucas theGrio.com
May 6, 2026
FBI agents were spotted searching the office of Democratic Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas on Wednesday morning.
May 6, 2026
Ashlee Jenae’s fiancé, Joe McCann, reportedly did not attend the late influencer’s funeral as her family continues searching for the…
Met Gala, Met Gala 2026, Met Gala Black artists, Barkley L. Hendricks, Laura Wheeler Waring, Angela Bassett, Jon Batiste, Law Roach, Amy Sherald theGrio.com
May 5, 2026
Angela Bassett, Amy Sherald, Law Roach and more drew inspiration from Black artists for their 2026 Met Gala looks.
HBCU, HBCU research, Association of HBCU Research Institutions, thGrio.com
May 1, 2026
The Association of HBCU Research Institutions is chasing elite research status for 14 HBCUs, reshaping who gets to lead American…
Robin Thede, Robin Thede Keke Palmer, Robin Thede Keke Palmer podcast, Robin Thede proposal, Robin Thede relationship, Is Robin Thede married? theGrio.com
April 30, 2026
“I've been proposed to five times and I've said no five times,” Robin Thede revealed on the Keke Palmer podcast.
Taye Diggs, Taye Diggs Microhouse Films, Taye Diggs vertical video, Microhouse Films
April 30, 2026
Taye Diggs teams up with partners to create Microhouse Films, a vertical storytelling platform that puts the power in filmmakers'…
SC State update, South Carolina State University, Pamela Evette South Carolina State University, SC State Pamela Evette, South Carolina State University commencement, South Carolina State University student protest, SC State student protests theGrio.com
April 29, 2026
South Carolina State University President rescinds commencement speaker invitation to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette after student protests.
South Carolina State University, Pamela Evette South Carolina State University, SC State Pamela Evette, South Carolina State University commencement, South Carolina State University student protest, SC State student protests theGrio.com
April 29, 2026
Students at South Carolina State University launch petition, protesting Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette as 2026 commencement speaker.
Doodle for Google contest, Kameirah Doodle for Google, Black hair Google doodle theGrio.com
April 29, 2026
One vote for Kameirah’s Google Doodle “Hair Power” could help this high school student win a $55k scholarship.
Speedy Morman, Speedy Morman independent, Black independent journalists theGrio.com
April 28, 2026
Speedy Morman is the latest in a long line of Black journalists leaving traditional media outlets to bet on themselves.
Sterling K Brown. Sterling K. Brown Is God Is, Black femicide theGrio.com
April 28, 2026
With more Black women killed by men they know, Sterling K. Brown calls for empathy, perspective, and an end to…
should you post your boyfriend?, Megan Thee Stallion Klay Thompson breakup, posting your significant other social media, relationship privacy social media TheGrio.com
April 27, 2026
Megan Thee Stallion went all in on love, publicly. Now the internet wants to debate whether that was her mistake.
Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Thee stallion breakup, Megan Thee Stallion Klay Thompson, Megan Thee Stallion relationship, Megan Thee Stallion Klay Thompson breakup theGrio.com
April 27, 2026
Black women’s reactions to Megan Thee Stallion’s breakup is about so much more than just an investment in “celebrity gossip.”
April 24, 2026
Nina Lee, a filmmaker who was told the future of her rom-com film depended on the success of ‘You, Me…
Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley Shannon Sharpe, Michael Beasley giref, Michael Beasley club shay shay theGrio.com
April 24, 2026
In an emotional conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Michael Beasley tears up as he remembers his late mother and his time…
Ciara Miller, Ciara Summer House, Ciara Miller Dancing With The Stars, Ciara Summer House Dancing with the Stars, Dancing with the Stars season 35, Ciara Miller DWTS, Ciars Summer House DWTS, DWTS new season theGrio.com
April 23, 2026
Ciara Miller from Bravo's “Summer House” is set to compete on “Dancing With the Stars” this fall for season 35.
J.R. Smith, J.R. Smith graduation, JR Smith graduation, J.R. Smith NCA&T, J.R. Smith North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University,
April 23, 2026
This spring, former NBA champion J.R. Smith will graduate with a bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University at…