How to Help Texans Recover From the Winter Disaster
These organizations could really use your time or money.
Doyin Oyeniyi was born in Nigeria but has lived in Texas for most of her life. Since graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.J. in multimedia journalism, she’s written about race, immigration, abortion access, and gun violence in the U.S. and has interviewed many Texas artists, writers, and filmmakers. When she’s not writing, she’s most likely reading fantasy novels, trying out a new recipe, or pretending to train for another marathon.
Articles by Doyin Oyeniyi
Deborah Roberts Has Exhibited Art Worldwide. She Hasn’t Had a Solo Museum Show in Her Hometown—Until Now
The Austin artist has been creating distinctive, large-scale collages for years.
Diedrick Brackens’s New Exhibition Mythologizes Blackness and Queerness
The Mexia-born artist’s new Blanton Museum show, “darling divined,’’ features striking woven textiles that reimagine stories central to his upbringing.
Six Good Texas Book Festival Reads
This year’s festival is all-virtual, but its lineup is still all-star, as demonstrated by this trio of recent books from Texas authors.
In ‘Lovecraft Country,’ Black Characters Are Trapped in Racial Terror
The HBO series, starring Dallas native Jonathan Majors, gives depth to Black characters stuck in nightmare situations.
Jonathan Majors, the Star of HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country,’ Transforms His Rage Into Art
The actor, who grew up in the Dallas area, takes a leading role in the horror series adapted from the book of the same name.
“Black Austin Matters” Is an Artistic Challenge to the City
Activists say the city can’t yet claim that “Black Austin Matters,” given its record, and that’s why they painted the street installation.
Why Visual Artist Jammie Holmes Took George Floyd’s Last Words to the Sky
In a new digital exhibition at Dallas Contemporary, Holmes challenges viewers to advocate for justice.
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s Verzuz Battle Felt More Intimate Than a Live Show
In this ongoing Instagram competition series, the two luminaries demonstrated how nourishing music can be.
Texas Authors on Their Favorite Books of 2019
From family drama to historical fiction to young adult novels, Texas authors recommend something for everyone.
On Texas Time: Ari Brielle, Dallas Visual Artist
The local artist talks about finding her medium, what she’s unlearning, and being an ”emerging artist.”
With ‘Waves,’ Houston Filmmaker Trey Edward Shults Reexamines the Traditional Family Drama
The director's third film follows a family that must deal with an unexpected tragedy.
Jia Tolentino Explores the Perils of Self-Delusion in Her First Book
The cultural critic, who grew up in Houston, reflects on her debut book.
Season Three of ‘Dear White People’ Meanders To Reach Its Point
Created by Houston native Justin Simien, the show has its moments in an otherwise confounding new season.
Beyoncé’s “Lion King” Album is Delightful, But Limited
“The Lion King: The Gift” features fun collaborations with West and South African artists, but fails to include other African regions.
Amy Gentry’s ‘Last Woman Standing’ Evens the Score
In her second novel, Gentry mines women’s commonplace experiences with abusive men to create a page-turning thriller.
‘Green Book’ Is a Poor Attempt to Make Racism Funny
The film isn't just a buddy comedy about a road trip—and it simply misses the mark.
Tackling the Financial Reality of ‘Saudi America’
In her new book, Bethany McLean explores the unstable financial future of fracking.
A Guy Fieri Meme Captures Changing Perceptions About Austin and Houston
Austin only aspires to the multicultural reputation Houston actually has.
Matthew McConaughey and Ken Paxton Team Up Against Human Trafficking
The surprising pair has joined forces for a noble cause.
Enchanted Rock Issues Heat Warnings After Three Dogs Died in the Park
Granite, which draws visitors to the park, can also reach high temperatures.
Texan Sentenced to Five Years for NSA Leaks on Russian Hacking
Kingsville native Reality Winner will serve the longest sentence so far under the Espionage Act.
Simone Biles Sent a Message to Survivors of Sexual Assault
How her leotard speaks volumes about something that USA Gymnastics won’t talk about.
The Best Part of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Isn’t the Love Story
The adaptation of the novel by Kevin Kwan, who was born in Singapore and raised in Houston, is well worth watching.
The Beauty and the Ugliness of “Random Acts of Flyness”
Dallas native Terence Nance’s new HBO series is a dream with a dark edge.
What Our Obsession About Beyoncé’s Baby Photos Reveals About Us and Celebrities
Beyoncé is notoriously precise about controlling her public narrative. As a famous black woman, she has to be.
Texas Schools Arresting More of Their Students After Parkland and Santa Fe School Shootings
A report by Texas Appleseed shows that schools are falling back on a zero-tolerance approach that has proven to be harmful to students.
Why Dust From the Sahara Is Covering the Texas Sky
The Saharan dust brings us hotter days, hazy skies, and nicer sunsets.
The Racist GroupMe Messages at Texas Tech Demonstrate the Dangers of Online Offensiveness
The group chat among Texas Tech students is only the most recent example of the consequences of offensive digital behavior.
Pro-Choice Advocates Worry About What Kavanaugh Nomination Will Mean for Roe v. Wade
Kavanaugh’s decision on the case of an undocumented minor seeking an abortion in Texas is one of their primary concerns.
Recipes to Help You Celebrate National Pecan Pie Day
From bourbon-pecan to chocolate-pecan, dig in to these eight recipes.
Austin Central Library Named Finalist for Public Library of the Year
The Central Library is one of five finalists out of 35 libraries nominated from around the world.
Abortion Funds Hope to Provide a New Approach to Challenging Restrictions in Texas
The funds claim to give a fuller picture of the challenges of abortion access in the state.
Does the Bible Justify Family Separation at the Border?
A day before Jeff Sessions and Sarah Huckabee Sanders used the Bible to justify separating immigrant families, a resolution from the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas had already contradicted them.
All the Texas-Related Movies You Should Watch This Summer
From a breastaurant to a thriller featuring puppets, here are eight movies from Texans to watch this summer.
Here’s What Solange and Saint Heron Should Call Their IKEA Collaborations
Looks like Solange’s seat at the table may have a minimalist aesthetic.
The Best Thing in Texas: A Texan Wins the National Spelling Bee
What: The 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Who: Karthik Nemmani, a fourteen-year-old from McKinney. Why It’s So Great: On Thursday night, a Texan took home the championship title from the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Karthick Nemmani, an eighth grader at Scoggins Middle School, knew he…
Justin Simien on How the Trump Presidency Has Changed ‘Dear White People’
After the second season of his Netflix series, the Houston-born writer and filmmaker talks about the "ideological gold rush" of 2018 and whether he would watch ’Dear Black People.’
The Best Thing in Texas: Drivers Rescue a Horse on the Highway
No horses were harmed in the filming of this video. In fact, one was saved.
The Price We’re Willing to Pay
What a pattern of inaction after school shootings is doing to American children.
Brantley Hargrove Chronicles the Life of Extraordinary Storm Chaser in ‘The Man Who Caught the Storm’
The book tells the triumphant and tragic story of Tim Samaras.
White Supremacist Gang Members’ ‘Vast Criminal Conspiracy’ Detailed
Dozens of gang members face charges ranging from trafficking methamphetamines to kidnapping.
Bob Dorough, Musical Director of ‘Schoolhouse Rock!,’ Has Passed Away at 94
The Plainview-raised jazz musician leaves behind a legacy beyond his contributions to musical education.
Christopher Scott’s ‘True Conviction’
More than two decades ago, Christopher Scott was wrongfully imprisoned for murder. Now he’s devoting his time to help free others.
Beychella Was a Celebration of Beyoncé’s Southern Black Culture
As Coachella’s Saturday night headliner, Beyoncé chose to share the HBCU experience in a performance full of black cultural history.
The Best Thing in Texas: Micheal Brown Gets Into Twenty Top Universities
The Lamar High School senior gets his pick of Stanford, Harvard, Yale, and seventeen other universities.
In ‘Half the Picture,’ Female Directors Call for Long-Overdue Equality in Hollywood
The documentary, filmed before the Harvey Weinstein allegations, explores gender inequality in Hollywood.
Roundtable: The Stop-Motion, Twee Charm, and Uncomfortable Moments in ‘Isle of Dogs’
To some of our writers, Wes Anderson is in the doghouse.