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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

Fawn Weaver, Fawn Weaver backlash, Fawn Weaver classmate, Fawn Weaver classmate video, Fawn Weaver backlash response theGrio.com
December 17, 2025
“Accountability doesn't require perfection, it requires ownership,” Uncle Nearest's Fawn Weaver said in a video response to the backlash.
The Weeknd, The Weeknd catalog, The Weeknd deal, the weeknd sells catalog, the weeknd catalog sale theGrio.com
December 17, 2025
Through this first-of-its-kind deal, The Weeknd redefines what it means to monetize a catalog without giving up control.
Ravyn Lenae theGrio.com
December 16, 2025
After social media trolls tried to place her in a box, singer Ravyn Lenae is encouraging all artists to embrace…
Last minute gift ideas, Black owned gift ideas, gifts that will arrive before christmas, Black owned gift ideas thegrio.com
December 16, 2025
A list of thoughtful, Black-owned holiday gift ideas that feel intentional even if they were ordered at the last minute.
DL Hughley Nicki Minaj, Nicki Minaj Gavin Newsom theGrio.com
December 16, 2025
DL Hughley referenced Nicki Minaj’s husband and her political stances while calling out her recent beef with Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Circle K lawsuit, Circle K assault miscarriage, Deria Francis Stukes Circle K theGrio.com
December 16, 2025
Deria Francis Stukes was eight weeks pregnant when she says a Circle K clerk assaulted her, causing her to lose…
Lizzo, Lizzo lawsuit, Lizzo fat shaming, Lizzo dancer lawsuit theGrio.com
December 15, 2025
“I am not settling,” Lizzo shares in an update on ongoing legal battle with former dancers as judge dismisses fat-shaming…
Nina Simone childhood home, Nina Simone home, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Nina Simone, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Nina simone home restoration theGrio.com
December 15, 2025
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund hopes to open Nina Simone’s fully restored childhood home to the public in…
Georgetown lost burial ground, Georgetown Forgotten Children Initiative, Maryland abandoned graveyard thegrio.com
December 15, 2025
Georgetown University’s “Forgotten Children Initiative” commits to investigating the lost burial grounds of 230 Black children in Maryland.
Carl Carlton, Carl Carlton Everlasting love, Carl Carlton she's a bad mama jama, Carl Carlton death theGrio.com
December 15, 2025
From “Everlasting Love” to “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” Carl Carton leaves behind a funky legacy that continues to echo…
Porsha Williams, Porsha Real housewives, Porsha RHOA, Porsha Williams relationship, porsha Williams girlfriend theGrio.com
December 12, 2025
“I want to live in my truth," Real Housewives of Atlanta's Porsha Williams reflects on her first public relationship with…
Regina Hall, Regina Hall Scary Movie, Scary Movie 6, Regina Hall Scary Movie 6, Scary Movie reboot theGrio.com
December 12, 2025
"I think comedy and maybe the limits that you can push have changed," Regina Hall says, reflecting on the Scary…
Dame Dash, Dame Dash 50 Cent, Dame Dash diddy documentary, 50 Cent diddy documentary theGrio.com
December 12, 2025
“That's not how we deal with things” Dame Dash criticizes 50 Cent’s involvement in ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’ documentary.
Ryan Coogler, Ryan Coogler wife, CCA Black Cinema and Television, The 8th annual Critics’ Choice Association Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, theGrio.com
December 11, 2025
While accepting his award, Ryan Coogler revealed the vital role his wife and business partner Zinzi played in “Sinners” and…
Beauty in Black, Beauty in Black season 3, tyler perry beauty in Black
December 11, 2025
With Season 2, Part 2 premiering in March 2026, Netflix confirms that Season 3 will mark the end of Tyler…
A scene from "Waiting to Exhale"
December 11, 2025
Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine reflect on the film Waiting to Exhale and working with Whitney Houston, 30…
ICE Minneapolis, Mubashir ICE, ICE Somali-Americans theGrio.com
December 11, 2025
Mubashir, a Somali American, was tackled and detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis, despite his status as an American citizen.
Joy Reid, Joy Reid Stephen A Smith, Stephen A smith Black women theGrio.com
December 11, 2025
Joy Reid challenges Stephen A. Smith’s claims about her career and calls out what she sees as a pattern of…
Angie Stone D'Angelo, Angie Stone D'Angelo relationship, Angie Stone D'Angelo son, Angie Stone D'Angelo Michael Archer II, Angie Stone D'Angelo death, Angie Stone D'Angelo age gap theGrio.com
December 10, 2025
Angie Stone and D’Angelo’s son recalls learning about his father’s cancer on FaceTime and his mother’s battle with kidney failure.
Colin Kaepernick, Colin Kaepernick taking the knee, TheGrio.com
December 10, 2025
Nearly a decade after taking a controversial knee in the NFL, Colin Kaepernick continues his activism with a new AI…