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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

mary j blige, mary j blige dance, mary j blige angie martinez, mary j blige residency, mary j blige viral dance theGrio.com
January 22, 2026
“I’ve been working hard all my life, sometimes you get tired,” Mary J Blige said, addressing her viral unbothered dance…
Drake, Drake lawsuit, Drake Not Like Us lawsuit, Not Like Us lawsuit, Drake UMG Lawsuit, Not Like Us lawsuit theGrio.com
January 22, 2026
Drake says the judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit against UMG and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” creates a “dangerous categorical…
Nicki Minaj, Nicki Minaj Don Lemon, Nicki Minaj slur, Nicki Minaj don lemon tweet theGrio.com
January 21, 2026
“I’m glad they’re angry,” Nicki Minaj wrote in the midst of the growing backlash online for homophobic comments she made…
Latriece Watkins, Latriece Watkins Sam's Club, Sam's Club new CEO, theGrio.com
January 21, 2026
After years of shaping Walmart’s merchandising strategy, Latriece Watkins is now tasked with leading Sam’s Club into its next chapter.
Coco Gauff, Coco Gauff HBCU, Coco Gauff Scholarship, Coco Gauff UNCF, theGrio.com
January 21, 2026
Since 2025, tennis star Coco Gauff has donated $250,000 to UNCF to support HBCU students playing competitive tennis at HBCUs.
Dr. pepper, Dr. pepper baby, Dr. Pepper jingle, Romeo Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper TikTok jingle theGrio.com
January 21, 2026
Romeo Bingham’s (@Romeosshow) viral TikTok jingle makes the leap from a viral moment to an official Dr. Pepper commercial.
DL Hughley, Donald Trump DL Hughley, DL Hughley Nicki Minaj theGrio.com
January 21, 2026
D.L. Hughley says President Donald Trump "wants to be evil" amidst growing immigration crackdown across the country.
Kai Cenat, Doechii, Toni Morrison, Kai Cenat reading theGrio.com
January 20, 2026
Kai Cenat reading has sparked unexpected discourse online. Meanwhile Doechii is extending her recommendations: Toni Morrison books
Corey Stingley, what happened to Corey Stingley?, Corey Stingley death, Corey Stingley restorative justice theGrio.com
January 20, 2026
Two white men admit responsibility in the killing of Corey Stingley, a Black teen who died over an alleged shoplifting…
Stevie Wonder MLK, Stevie Wonder Martin Luther King Jr, Stevie wonder MLK Day, Stevie Wonder Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Stevie Wonder MLK Documentary
January 20, 2026
An upcoming documentary reveals how Stevie Wonder's activism and a now-iconic song helped secure a federal holiday for Martin Luther…
Naomi Osaka, Naomi Osaka Australian Open, Naomi Osaka fashion theGrio.com
January 20, 2026
Naomi Osaka turns the Australian Open into her personal runway debuting a jellyfish-inspired look before securing a first-round victory
Arkansas book ban, Arkansas books, Arkansas book polcy theGrio.com
January 16, 2026
Starting Feb. 1, the policy bans families, publishers, and faith groups from sending reading material to incarcerated people in Arkansas.
Teyana Taylor, Teyana Taylor Dionne Warwick, Dionne Warwick movie, Dionne Warwick biopic theGrio.com
January 16, 2026
“Go ahead and slap those vocals over it,” Teyana Taylor jokes when asked if she will be singing in the…
Desmond Kristy scott, Desmind Kristy Scott divorce theGrio.com
January 16, 2026
Since content creators Desmond and Kirsty Scott announced their divorce, social media has not stopped buzzing with hot takes, conspiracies.
Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill John Forté, Lauryn Hill John Forte, john Forte, John Forte Fugees theGrio.com
January 16, 2026
“This loss is unexpected and surreal, and my heart aches,” Lauryn Hill said, reflecting on the death of John Forté,…
Derrick Rose flower shop, Rose's Flower shop, D Rose flower shop, Derrick Rose business, Derrick Rose flowers theGrio.com
January 16, 2026
From the South Side of Chicago to online shoppers nationwide, Derrick Rose’s new business, Rose’s Flower Shop, is about connection
January 15, 2026
As anti-ICE protests swell, accounts of flash bangs and federal force raise alarms about public safety in Minneapolis.
A$AP Rocky, A$AP Rocky Rihanna, A$AP Rocky Rihanna relationship theGrio.com
January 15, 2026
A$AP Rocky opens up about how his mother always believed Rihanna was “the one,” long before a romantic relationship was…
Euphoria, Euphoria season 3, Euphoria Zendaya, euphoria season 3 trailer, euphoria season 3 release date theGrio.com
January 15, 2026
After almost 4 years, HBO has released the trailer for season 3 of Zendaya’s hit series “Euphoria,” premiering April 12.
Trump, Trump Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, Trump milk law, whole milk in schools, Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, Obama Milk laws theGrio.com
January 15, 2026
Trump’s “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” will reverse a policy passed during Obama’s presidency designed to combat child obesity.