Notable Deaths That Shook Black America

The yr 2024 marked the heartbreaking loss of a number of iconic Black figures, whose influence transcended leisure, enterprise, sports activities, and activism. These people didn’t simply entertain or excel of their respective fields; they modified the world, forsaking legacies that may proceed to form their industries and communities for generations to return. From the towering mind and humanitarian work of Dr. Richard Parsons to the indomitable spirit of activist and poet Nikki Giovanni, the tales of those lives replicate a profound dedication to progress, justice, and excellence.

As we mourn their passing, we additionally have fun the extraordinary achievements and contributions of those people. Their work—whether or not on display, in enterprise, on the basketball courtroom, or by means of activism—has not solely entertained us however impressed us to suppose otherwise, act courageously, and attempt for a greater world. Let’s honor the lives of these Black stars we misplaced in 2024 and whose contributions will without end resonate within the material of American tradition and past.

 

Dr. Richard D. Parsons (1947–2024)

In December, the world misplaced Dr. Richard D. Parsons, a titan in American enterprise. Identified for his regular management, Parsons was a key determine in turning round distressed corporations like Time Warner, CBS, and Citigroup. As CEO of Time Warner from 2002 to 2007, he confronted the monumental activity of righting the ship after the disastrous AOL merger. He diminished the corporate’s large debt, streamlined operations, and refocused the media conglomerate on its core strengths. Parsons’ management was characterised by a relaxed, humane method to company governance, incomes him the respect of colleagues and rivals alike.

Past the boardroom, Parsons was a sought-after adviser to a number of key figures in American politics and enterprise. His legacy is one in every of resilience, strategic considering, and an unwavering dedication to creating enterprise serve folks.

Parsons, who handed away at his Manhattan dwelling on Dec. 26, had been identified with a number of myeloma in 2015, in keeping with The Related Press. He later cited “unanticipated problems” from the illness as the rationale for scaling again his work in subsequent years. He was 76. 

 

Quincy Jones (1933–2024)

Quincy Jones, a legendary determine on the earth of music and leisure, additionally handed in 2024, forsaking a legacy that spans greater than six many years. A Grammy-winning producer, composer, and arranger, Jones was a pioneer who reshaped jazz, pop, and movie scores. His collaborations with Michael Jackson, together with the manufacturing of Thriller, stay among the many most influential works in music historical past. A prolific determine, Jones additionally used his platform to help civil rights causes and mentor numerous artists all through his profession.

Quincy Jones didn’t simply change the sound of music; he opened doorways for generations of Black musicians to comply with. His contributions to tradition, music, and social progress are unmatched. 

The legendary musician died on Nov. 3 on the age of 91 after a battle with pancreatic most cancers.

 

John Amos (1939–2024)

John Amos, the beloved actor recognized for his iconic roles in Good Occasions and Roots, handed away in 2024, leaving an indelible mark on tv and movie. Amos was a pioneer in portraying Black characters with depth and dignity, tackling tough points corresponding to systemic racism, generational trauma, and Black household dynamics in an period when such themes have been not often explored on mainstream TV.

His portrayal of James Evans Sr. on Good Occasions grew to become one of the vital necessary depictions of a Black father on tv, making Amos a trailblazer within the leisure business. Past appearing, Amos additionally used his platform to deal with problems with racial justice, advocating for higher illustration and alternatives for Black expertise in Hollywood.

Amos handed away on Aug. 21 on account of congestive coronary heart failure, in keeping with USA At this time. He was 84. 

 

James Earl Jones (1931–2024)

The voice of a technology, James Earl Jones, handed away on Sept. 9 on the age of 93. Identified for his iconic roles in Star Wars as Darth Vader and in The Lion King as Mufasa, Jones’ deep, resonant voice grew to become one of the vital recognizable in movie historical past. However past his vocal abilities, Jones was additionally a celebrated actor on stage and display, incomes accolades for his highly effective performances in works like The Nice White Hope and Fences.

Jones was not solely an actor however a mentor to many Black actors who adopted in his footsteps. His legacy is one in every of excellence, artistry, and a deep dedication to the craft of appearing.

Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024)

Poet, activist, and educator, Nikki Giovanni was a robust voice in each the literary world and the Civil Rights Motion. Her writing captured the experiences and struggles of Black Individuals with unparalleled readability and charm. Giovanni’s poetry usually addressed themes of affection, id, and social justice, making her one of the vital necessary literary figures of the twentieth and twenty first centuries. Her activism prolonged past the web page, as she championed civil rights, Black empowerment, and gender equality all through her life. 

Giovanni handed away on the age of 81 on Dec. 9 following a longtime battle with most cancers. 

 

DJ Clark Kent (1969–2024)

On the earth of hip-hop, DJ Clark Kent was a revered determine, recognized not just for his turntable expertise but in addition for his position as a producer and tastemaker. He was a key determine within the New York hip-hop scene, producing tracks for artists like Jay-Z and Infamous B.I.G. His affect in shaping the sound of contemporary rap can’t be overstated, and his contributions to the style helped elevate it from an underground motion to a world cultural power.

Past music, DJ Clark Kent was an advocate for Black youth, utilizing his platform to mentor younger artists and push for higher illustration within the music business. In 2019, the legendary DJ teamed up with YellowBrick to create The DJ Clark Kent Scholarship program, an initiative aimed toward giving certified college students schooling and entry to mentorship alternatives in industries like music, style design, and sports activities. 

Kent handed away on Oct. 24 on the age of 58 following a battle with colon most cancers.

 

Dikembe Mutombo (1966–2024)

Former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, recognized for his unimaginable shot-blocking means and humanitarian work, handed away on Sept. 30 from mind most cancers. Mutombo was not simply one of many best basketball gamers of his period; he was additionally a passionate advocate for well being and schooling in his native Congo and throughout Africa. His Dikembe Mutombo Basis helped present entry to healthcare and schooling for hundreds of kids within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mutombo’s contributions to basketball are legendary, however his off-court work really solidified his place as a world ambassador for change and humanitarianism.

Tito Jackson (1953–2024)

Tito Jackson, the eldest of the Jackson 5, was an integral half of one of the vital influential musical households in historical past. His contributions as a guitarist and vocalist helped outline the sound of the Jackson 5 and laid the groundwork for Michael Jackson’s legendary solo profession. Tito’s passing in 2024 marks the top of an period for the Jackson household, however his legacy as a pioneering artist and mentor continues to encourage new generations of musicians.

Jackson died on Sept. 15 following a coronary heart assault. He was 70.

Sheila Jackson Lee (1950 – 2024)

 

Sheila Jackson Lee, the longtime Texas Congresswoman, was recognized for her fierce advocacy for civil rights, ladies’s rights, and social justice. Jackson was acknowledged for her unwavering help of underserved communities. She secured hundreds of thousands in federal funding for important initiatives in Houston, together with flood management, healthcare, and public security. Her passing marked a big loss for the Black political neighborhood when she died on July 19 following a hard-fought battle with pancreatic most cancers. She was 74.  

Iyaluua Ferguson (1932 – 2024)

Iyaluua Ferguson was a celebrated neighborhood chief and activist recognized for her dedication to schooling, youth empowerment, and social justice. Her work impacted numerous lives, particularly inside underrepresented communities, and he or she leaves behind a robust legacy of advocacy and alter. Ferguson handed away in February on the age of 91. 

Hydeia Broadbent (1984 – 2024)

Hydeia Broadbent was a trailblazer within the battle towards HIV/AIDS. Identified with the virus as a baby, Hydeia grew to become a passionate spokesperson, sharing her story to boost consciousness concerning the significance of HIV prevention and schooling. Her work touched the hearts of many, and her dedication to destigmatizing the illness helped pave the way in which for higher conversations round well being and consciousness. 

Broadbent died in February. 

Joe Madison (1949 – 2024)

Joe Madison, usually referred to as “The Black Eagle,” was a pioneering radio host and activist who used his platform to champion civil rights, social justice, and the empowerment of Black communities. His voice and affect have been felt throughout the nation as he fought for political change and equality. Madison died on Jan. 31 after a hard-fought battle with most cancers. He was 76.

 

Sekou Odinga (1949 – 2024)

Sekou Odinga, a former U.S. political prisoner who spent 33 years behind bars for his involvement within the Black liberation motion, handed away on Jan. 12 on the age of 79. A key determine in a number of the most influential organizations in American Black liberation historical past, Odinga was a member of Malcolm X’s Group of Afro-American Unity, the Black Panther Celebration, and the Black Liberation Military. He’s additionally well known for his position within the 1979 escape of fellow political prisoner Assata Shakur, who stays in exile in Cuba. 

 

Dr. Antionette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey (1950 –  2024)

Dr. Antionette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey, a extremely revered administrator at Lincoln College, tragically took her personal life on Jan. 8,  leaving a deep and lasting influence on the college neighborhood. At 49, Candia-Bailey returned to Lincoln College within the spring of 2023 to tackle the position of vice chairman for pupil affairs, a place that marked the subsequent chapter of her distinguished profession in greater schooling. Identified for her professionalism and experience, Bonnie earned a PhD in management research and was broadly admired for her contributions to the sphere.

Her mom, Veronica Candia, and her husband, Anthony Bailey, spoke to NBC Information, alleging that Bonnie had been dismissed by President Moseley simply days earlier than her dying. They shared that she had been fighting melancholy and felt more and more unsupported in her position. In accordance with her household, Bonnie confided in them a couple of deteriorating relationship with Moseley, which they imagine contributed to her emotional turmoil. Her dying left the Lincoln College neighborhood saddened and in shock.

 

Rico Wade (1970 – 2024)

Rico Wade was a legendary producer, songwriter, and co-founder of the influential Dungeon Household collective, which gave rise to artists like OutKast and CeeLo Inexperienced. His contribution to the hip-hop and R&B scenes helped form the sound of Southern music. Wade died on April 13. He was 52.

 

O.J. Simpson (1947 – 2024)

Supply: Ted Soqui / Getty

O.J. Simpson, a former NFL star and actor, stays one of the vital polarizing figures in American historical past. Whereas his profession achievements in soccer and movie are simple, his legacy is without end entwined along with his notorious homicide trial that captivated the nation. Simpson’s life story continues to function a lens by means of which race, movie star, and justice are sometimes mentioned in America.

Simpson died on April 10 following a personal battle with prostate most cancers. He was 76. 

 

Louis Gossett Jr. (1936 – 2024)

Supply: Charley Gallay / Getty

Louis Gossett Jr. was an iconic actor, maybe greatest recognized for his Academy Award-winning position in An Officer and a Gentleman. A trailblazer for Black actors in Hollywood, Gossett used his platform to talk out on problems with race and equality within the leisure business, incomes widespread respect for his work each on and off the display. Gossett Jr. died on March 29 after battling continual obstructive pulmonary illness, USA At this time reported. 

 

Eric Mays (1971 – 2024)

Identified for his viral TikTok movies, was a Michigan politician and activist recognized for his fearless stance on civil rights points. A tireless advocate for neighborhood empowerment, Mays served as a metropolis councilman in Flint, the place he championed reforms associated to water security, public well being, and concrete revitalization for over a decade. 

Mays handed away on Feb. 24 on the age of 65. 

 

Carl Weathers (1948 – 2024)

Supply: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty

Carl Weathers, a beloved actor and former skilled soccer participant, gained fame for his roles in Rocky, Predator, and The Mandalorian. His highly effective on-screen presence and legacy in each sports activities and movie left a long-lasting impression on American popular culture, making him a beloved determine for generations.

Weathers handed away on Feb. 2 on the age of 76 following a longtime battle with atherosclerotic heart problems, often known as ASCVD, in keeping with the Atlanta Journal-Structure.

 

Josephine Wright (? – 2024)

Supply: GoFundMe/Charise Graves

Josephine Wright, the resilient South Carolina girl who fought tirelessly to guard her household’s ancestral land on Hilton Head Island, handed away on Jan. 7 on the age of 94. Identified for her willpower, Wright spent her last years battling Bailey Level Funding, LLC, a serious housing developer, to protect the property she inherited from her late husband. Her trigger garnered important movie star help, amplifying her battle to maintain her dwelling intact.

Two months after her passing, a settlement was lastly reached within the ongoing authorized battle. On March 14, a household spokesperson confirmed to South Carolina Public Radio {that a} decision had been achieved after a yearlong wrestle. Altimese Nichole, the Wright household consultant, introduced that Bailey Level Funding, LLC, had agreed to stop all contact with the household relating to the Hilton Head property. Moreover, as a part of the settlement, the corporate is required to restore Wright’s roof, set up a privateness fence, and supply landscaping across the property. Wright’s legacy of perseverance has left a long-lasting mark on the neighborhood, guaranteeing the safety of her household’s heritage for generations to return.

SEE ALSO:

Legendary Hip-Hop DJ Mister Cee Dies At 57

Dexter Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Youngest Son, Dies At 62

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