Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2024
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. A pioneer for black actors in the entertainment industry, he is known for his extensive and acclaimed roles on stage and screen. Jones is one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and the Academy Honorary Award in 2011.
Cissy Houston
Singer Cissy Houston performs onstage at the 35th Anniversary Mother’s Day Weekend Gospelfest 2017 at Prudential Center on May 13, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images) photography, celebrities, people, one person, arts culture and entertainment, horizontal,usa,music,headshot, performance, new jersey, singer, music festival, newark – new jersey, prudential center – newark, cissy houston, mother’s day.
Frankie Beverley
Howard Stanley Beverly (December 6, 1946 – September 10, 2024), known as Frankie Beverly, was an American singer, songwriter, and producer known primarily for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze. He formed Maze, originally called Raw Soul, in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970. After moving to San Francisco and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, Maze later released nine Gold albums and created a large and devoted following.
Quincy Jones
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson told several outlets that he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Aston “Family Man” Barrett
Faith Ringgold
Angela Bofill
Willie Mays
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
John Amos
John Amos passed away on August 21st, 2024 however the news was made public on October 1st
Judith Jamison
Judith Jamison, a luminary in the world of dance and an iconic figure in American choreography, has passed away at 81. Her death, following a brief illness, marks the end of an era for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she served as a guiding light for decades.
Jamison’s extraordinary career began when she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the 1960s, quickly becoming one of its most celebrated performers. Her presence on stage was nothing short of mesmerizing, her movements both powerful and graceful. For 15 years, she danced with the company, captivating audiences with her talent and passion before leaving to explore other artistic endeavors, including performances with renowned ballet companies and Broadway productions.
Lou Donaldson
Legendary saxophonist Lou “Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson passed away on November 9, 2024 at 98 years old. He is credited for being one of the first to bridge bebop and soul, and is known as a pioneer of the soul-jazz genre. Donaldson, writer of ‘Blues Walk’, is a member of the International Jazz Hall of Fame, an NEA Jazz Master (the nation’s highest award for jazz artists), and much more.
Nikki Giovanni
Poet, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni passed away on December 9 at the age of 81. Cousin Allison Ragan said on behalf of the family, “We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin.”
Rickey Henderson
Baseball Hall of Famer and widely regarded as one of the greatest leadoff hitters and base stealers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history passed away after a bout with pneumonia, days before his 66th Birthday. Known for his speed and on-base abilities, his career stats include a .279 batting average with 297 home runs and 1,115 runs batted in. Henderson holds the MLB records for career stolen bases, runs scored, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs.
Richard D. Parsons
Parsons’ tenure as CEO of Time Warner from 2002 to 2007 showcased his exceptional ability to turn around troubled organizations. Stepping into the role amid the fallout of the disastrous AOL-Time Warner merger, Parsons faced one of the toughest challenges in corporate history. With steady hands, he reduced the company’s crippling $30 billion debt to nearly half, streamlined operations, and focused on the firm’s strengths in media and entertainment.
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel, an Award-winning sportscaster has died. His family released a statement confirming his passing, saying, “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten.
Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him. — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel”
Marlena Shaw
Marlena Shaw died on Jan. 19 at the age of 81. Her daughter announced the legendary jazz singer’s passing in an emotional video on Facebook. Shaw was a mainstay in jazz, R&B, and soul for years and was known for the songs, “California Soul” and “Woman of the Ghetto.”
Dexter King
Dexter Scott King died on Jan. 22 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 62. As the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dexter followed in his father’s footsteps and was a civil rights activist. He was also the chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
Hinton Battle
On Tuesday, Tony-winning actor and choreographer Hinton Battle died after a “lengthy illness” Per The Hollywood Reporter, his family and loved ones are choosing not to disclose the exact nature of his illness. He passed away at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was survived by his sisters, Eddie and Lettie Battle, and a plethora of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was 67 years old.
Battle was best known as the originator of the Scarecrow character in the Broadway adaptation of “The Wiz.” He would later go on to win three Tony awards, all for Best Features Actor in a Musical in: “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981), “The Tap Dance Kid (1984)“ and Miss Saigon (1991). His Broadway credits include popular shows like “Dancin’, Dreamgirls,” “Chicago,” and “Ragtime.”
Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers had such a long and varied career he had fans of all ages, races and genders. Whether it was Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” Chubbs in “Happy Gilmore” or Greef Karga in “The Mandalorian,” he was recognized around the world. He passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 76, dying at home in his sleep. In April 2023, he spoke to The Root about joining the “Star Wars” franchise and the fun he was having playing the complicated Greef Karga.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr. died on March 28 at 87. Gossett was known for becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1982 film, “An Officer and a Gentleman.” During his career, he also starred in other beloved shows and movies such as, “Roots,” “Watchmen,” and “The Color Purple.”
Casey Benjamin
Accomplished saxophonist and keyboardist Casey Benjamin died on March 31 at 46. Benjamin was also a producer and songwriter who was a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment. He won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his work on the 2012 record, “Black Radio.”
O.J. Simpson
O.J. Simpson died April 10 after a lengthy cancer battle. The former NFL star infamously went on trial for the double-murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in the 1990s. He was ultimately acquitted in 1995. After retiring from football, Simpson went on to become an announcer, sportscaster, and pop culture mainstay.
Donald M. Payne Jr.
Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. died on April 24th at 65. He was hospitalized in early April after sustaining a heart attacking that came from his complications with diabetes. Payne was the son of Donald Payne Sr., who was the first Black person to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Marian Robinson
Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, died on May 31 at the age of 86. Her cause of death was not shared. In a statement, the Obama family wrote, “Marian Lois Shields Robinson — our mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother — had a way of summing up the truths about life in a word or two, maybe a quick phrase that made everyone around her stop and think. Her wisdom came off as almost innate, as something she was born with, but in reality it was hard-earned, fashioned by her deep understanding that the world’s roughest edges could always be sanded down with a little grace.”
