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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

CE, Alex Pretti, what happened to Alex Pretti, Sara Sidner, Alex Pretti protests, Alex Pretti death, Alex Pretti ICE theGrio.com
January 26, 2026
ICE agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minnesota. DHS claims he approached officers with a weapon, but witness videos show…
Regina King, Ian Alexander Jr., Regina King's son, Black celebrity children, Black wine labels, Regina King wine, MianU Wines, theGrio.com
January 23, 2026
Regina King reflects on preserving her late son Ian’s memory and the friendship he shared with Sasha and Malia Obama.
Tommy Lee Walker, Tommy Lee Walker exonerated, Tommy Lee walker innocent, Dallas man exonorated 70 years after death, theGrio.com
January 23, 2026
In 1956, Tommy Lee Walker was executed after being wrongfully accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a white woman in…
Naomi Osaka, Naomi Osaka Australian Open, Naomi Osaka fashion theGrio.com
January 23, 2026
After Naomi Osaka debuted a creative 2026 Australian Open walk-on outfit, some tennis fans called her “classless’ for her look.
Philadelphia, slavery exhibit, Trump executive order, Philadelphia President's house, Philadelphia Trump lawsuit, National Park services Philadelphia President's house theGrio.com
January 23, 2026
The City of Philadelphia is suing the Trump administration over the removal of exhibits honoring slavery from its historic President’s…
Tessa Thompson, Tessa Thompson Michael B Jordan theGrio.com
January 22, 2026
Tessa Thompson reveals how couples therapy helped her and her co-star Michael B. Jordan honor Bianca and Adonis Creed's love…
Al B. Sure, Luenell, Al B Sure Luenell, Al B Sure Luenell dating, Al B Sure Luenell relationship theGrio.com
January 22, 2026
Comedian Luenell and Al B. Sure are dating and in love despite people think the comedian is “undeserving” of the…
Sinners, Sinners Oscar nominations, Sinners nominations 2026 Oscar Nominations, Teyana Taylor Oscars, Sinners Oscars theGrio.com
January 22, 2026
Sinners breaks the record with 16 nominations as stars like Delroy Lindo, Teyana Taylor, and more receive their first Oscar…
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.