About Tonya Pendleton

TONYA PENDLETON is a veteran multimedia journalist in news, sports, lifestyle and entertainment reporting. She’s written for Essence, Ebony, BET.com, The Source, XXL, Jordan Magazine, the Philadelphia Daily News, The Washington Post and more. In her current incarnation as a writer/editor with TheGrio.com and as “Things To Do” curator for NPR affiliate WHYY, she crafts content for a local and global audience. The Philadelphia resident was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate of The New School.

All Articles

Barack Obama thegrio.com
December 20, 2020
Barack Obama shared his best of 2020 playlist. Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Savage’ was included. He says his daughter Sasha helped make the picks.
Jrue Holiday Bucks NBA thegrio.com
December 20, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks player Jrue Holiday says he’ll donate the rest of his 2020 salary to Black busineses, nonprofits and initiatives.
Kiki Layne Ring Shout TV thegrio.com
December 16, 2020
Kiki Layne has taken on a new role in the TV series Ring Shout, based on a novel by P. Djéli Clark. Kasi Lemmons will be the showrunner.
People Go To The Polls On First Day Of Early Voting In Texas
December 15, 2020
A former police captain has been arrested in Houston after he illegally detained a man he believed was masterminding voter fraud.
Uncertainty Surrounds Tenants Behind On Rent As Expiration Of NY State Eviction Moratorium Looms
December 14, 2020
A housing crisis can be averted if Congress acts to extend federal eviction moratoriums say housing experts.
President-Elect Biden thegrio.com
December 10, 2020
President-elect Joe Biden warned civil rights leaders that police reform was going to take time given the pushback to ‘defund the police.’
Stacey Abrams Georgia runoff Cobb County thegrio.com
December 7, 2020
Voting rights advocates in Georgia are concerned by a recent reduction in polling places for early voting in the contested Senate race.
Nursing home thegrio.com
December 7, 2020
A wedding attended by more than 300 people in Washington state may be a superspreader COVID-19 event, state health officials say.
Eric Holder Nipsey Hussle
December 3, 2020
Eric Holder, Nipsey Hussle’s alleged killer, will not go to trial for at least the next 90 days due to COVID.
LeBron James Bronny James NBA thegrio.com
December 2, 2020
LeBron James signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and many believe he wants his son Bronny to join him there.
Aidan Ellison racial murder Oregon thegrio.com
November 27, 2020
An Oregon man shot and killed a Black teenager, Aidan Ellison, who was playing music he though was too loud in a hotel parking lot.
Baltimore Ravens v Los Angeles Rams
November 27, 2020
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19 according to multiple reports. He will not play on Sunday.
Sit-In Held At Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's House
November 26, 2020
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund has issued a report on the Breonna Taylor case that says that justice was effectively denied in her case.
Lauren London Nipsey Hussle tattoo thegrio.com
November 25, 2020
Lauren London has added a second tattoo in homage to her late partner, rapper Nipsey Hussle who was gunned down in 2019.
President Trump Melania thegrio.com
November 24, 2020
The Trump family plan to host holiday celebrations at the White House despite CDC guidelines that gatherings due to COVID.
Burt's Bees social media ad thegrio.com
November 23, 2020
A Burt’s Bees holiday ad generates controversy on social media over its depiction of Black families and the company apologizes.
Rickey Smiley Black Music Honors music thegrio.com
November 20, 2020
Rickey Smiley hosts Black Music Honors 2020 which pays tribute to En Vogue, Fred Hammond and Deborah Cox this weekend on Bounce.
Tyson Foods lawsuit Waterloo thegrio.com
November 19, 2020
Tyson Foods is being sued because it’s alleged that they didn’t have safety protocols in place to protect workers from COVID-19.
Dr. Dre Nicole Young thegrio.com
November 19, 2020
Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and Nicole Young are facing another impasse in their increasingly contentious divorce.
Cori Bush Breonna Taylor Missouri thegrio.com
November 13, 2020
New Missouri Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush says that when she wore a Breonna Taylor mask, GOP colleagues thought that was her name.