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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

Mathew Knowles, Mathew Knowles Tina Knowles, Mathew Knowles interview theGrio.com
March 5, 2026
Mathew Knowles shuts down the discourse after a viral clip shows him walking out of an interview at the mention…
Haitian man dies in ICE custody, Haitian man Arizona ICE, ICE arizona theGrio.com
March 5, 2026
Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man, died in ICE custody following complications linked to an untreated tooth infection.
Yvette Nicole Brown Nicki Minaj, Yvette Nicole Brown ICE Out theGrio.com
March 5, 2026
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown says campaigns like “ICE Out” matter more than the “noise” about Nicki Minaj’s right-wing politics.
Weeksville, Mayor Mamdani Weeksville, Weeksville restoration, Weeksville New York, Weeksville zohran mamdani, Weeksville NYC theGrio.com
March 5, 2026
Weeksville was the second-largest free Black community in the pre-Civil War era, and Mayor Mamdani wants to make sure you…
Monaleo, Monaleo health, Monaleo tour, Monaleo canceled show theGrio.com
March 4, 2026
Rapper Monaleo emphasizes the importance of listening to your body after a pain she tried to ignore led her to…
Mary Cosby, Mary Cosby RHOSLC, RHOSLC filiming, RHOSLC season 7, RHOSLC season 7 mary, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Mary
March 4, 2026
After halting production due to the death of Mary Cosby’s son, Robert Jr., the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City…
Keke Palmer, Keke Palmer age-gap relationship, Keke Palmer demi lovato theGrio.com
March 4, 2026
“Oh, I was being exploited,” Keke Palmer reflects on age-gap relationship during a podcast episode with fellow child star Demi…
Lamar odom, Lamar odom afterlife, lamar odom documentary, Lamar Odom Netflix documentary, Lamar Odom Untold, Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom
March 4, 2026
"The afterlife isn't what people make it out to be," Lamar Odom says in his upcoming Netflix documentary “Untold."
Ray J, Ray J health, Ray J Sonja Norwood, Ray J mom, Ray J heart condition theGrio.com
March 4, 2026
Sonja Norwood, Ray J’s mother, addresses the people who think her son is “faking his health concerns, or it's a…
Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson son, Jennifer hudson financial literacy, theGrio.com
March 3, 2026
“Don’t max out that credit card,” is one of the many financial lessons Jennifer Hudson hopes to teach her son,…
March 3, 2026
After making history as the first Black woman at the Washington Post, Dorothy Butler Gilliam is supporting the reporters hit…
Smoothie King, Smoothie King trump, Smoothie King fires employees, Smoothie King boycott, what happened at Smoothing King
March 3, 2026
Former Smoothie King employees face harassment from the right-wing after refusing to serve a couple wearing a Trump hoodie in…
Clifton Powell
March 3, 2026
"You can't put a timeframe on this," actor Clifton Powell, 64, says reflecting on the years it took for him…
Scary Movie 6 trailer, scary movie 6
March 2, 2026
The Wayans Brothers and Regina Hall are back with “Scary Movie 6,” parodying hit horror films like “Sinners,” “Get Out”…
Hanifa, Hanifa pause, Hanifa Anifa, Hanifa closing, is Hanifa closing?, Hanifa drama, hanifa pause, ANifa Mvuemba theGrio.com
March 2, 2026
Anifa Mvuemba gets honest about Hanifa backlash, the weight of building while Black, and why she's choosing stillness over performance.
Henrietta Lacks, Henrietta Lacks settlement, Henrietta Lacks family settlement, Henrietta Lacks family ben crump theGrio.com
March 2, 2026
For years, pharmaceutical brands have profited from cells taken from Henrietta Lacks without her consent. Now her family is seeking…
Ryan Coogler, Ryan Coogler Actor Awards history, Ryan Coogler ensemble award theGrio.com
March 2, 2026
Just as Viola Davis celebrated Michael B. Jordan’s win, we are celebrating Ryan Coogler making history at the Actors Awards.
Oliver ‘Power’ Grant, power wu tang clan, Oliver ‘Power’ Grant wu tang clan, Oliver ‘Power’ Grant wu wear, Oliver ‘Power’ Grant dead theGrio.com
March 2, 2026
Wu-Tang’s Oliver ‘Power’ Grant died last week after a “courageous and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Caleb Wilson during a performance with Southern University's 'Human Jukebox' Marching Band.
February 27, 2026
During what would have been his graduation, Southern University will honor Caleb Wilson with a posthumous degree
Rihanna, Rihanna new music, Rihanna new music hint, Rihanna new music tease, Rihanna new album, Rihanna R9
February 27, 2026
Rihanna has once again teased her highly anticipated ninth studio album, here are all the times she’s hinted at new…