As each passing year brings new memories and milestones, each also unfortunately signals a time to mourn some of our beloved family, friends, and figures.
Among that number are stars of the screen, stage, and airwaves, activists, sports stars, and media personalities, and beyond – notable figures who blaze trails for our people or leave an undeniable impact on our communities.
In this space, we commemorate the lives of those we lost this year. May their lights forever shine as their impact continues to be felt for generations.
The legendary jazz and soul singer passed on January 19, 2024 at the age of 84.
The three-time Tony Award-winner passed away on January 30, at the age of 67. He was noted as the first Scarecrow in Broadway’s original production of The Wiz.
Actor, director, and former gridiron linebacker Carl Weathers transitioned on February 1 at age 76 from heart disease. He is perhaps best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky Franchise.
The son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., King passed away after a battle with prostate cancer on January 22. He was 62 years old.
The last surviving original member of the legendary Motowon R&B group, The Spinners, passed away on February 7 at age 85. His death came just a few short months after his group’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The actor, who was the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, passed away on March 29. He was 87 years old.
The pioneering Hip-Hop DJ and longstanding fixture of NYC rap radio passed away on April 10th at the age of 57.
The former NFL star and Heisman trophy winner, who maintained a controversial public profile after being tried for his wife’s death in 1995, passed away on April 10th after a private battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
The groundbreaking painter, visual artist, and author whose revolutionary work expressed cultural and political messages during the Civil Rights movement passed away on April 12 at the age of 93.
Texas-born rapper Channing Nicole Larry, known on the stage as Enchanting, passed away on June 11 after a reported battle with complications from withdrawal. She was 26 years old.
The prolific character actor, perhaps best known for his roles in films like Night at the Museum, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and many more, passed away at his California home on June 25 at age 90.
The U.S. representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district and noted Civil Rights pioneer passed away likely due to complications of pancreatic cancer on July 22. She was 74.
The actress, perhaps best known for her roles in BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood, STARZ’s Survivors Remorse, and more recently, Netflix film We Have a Ghost, passed away on July 29 at the age of 46.
The titan of Houston party hip-hop, real name Justin Riley, passed away from complications related to pulmonary embolism on August 15th. He was 39 years old.
The legendary New York musician died after he collapsed mid-performance during a free concert in Connecticut on August 31. He was 53.
James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who defined an era of film, television, and theater, passed away on September 9. He was 93.
Tito Jackson, an original member of the hit-making pop group the Jackson 5, has died, his family confirmed on September 16. He was 70.
Dikembe Mutombo, the Hall of Fame basketball center, died of brain cancer on Monday, September 30. He was 58.
John Amos, the star of Good Times, Roots, and more, died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes. He was 84.
Cissy Houston, renowned soul and gospel singer and mother to Whitney Houston, died on October 7, 2024. She was 91.
Musical icon Quincy Jones, the composer and producer who collaborated with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson died November 3. He was 91.
Tony Todd, the actor who played Candyman, died November 6 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 69.
Judith Jamison, an internationally acclaimed dancer who later served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 20 years, has died. She was 81.
Nikki Giovanni, the acclaimed poet, Virginia Tech Professor and Black Arts movement Icon, passed away on Monday, December 9. She was 81.
