Black Lives

George Foreman (1949–2025), heavyweight boxing champion

George Foreman was the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later parlayed his fame into a successful entrepreneurial career.

Slick Watts (1951–2025), beloved Seattle SuperSonics player

Slick Watts was a fan-favorite basketball player of the 1970s best known for his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, his skills on the court, and his distinctive headbands.

Oliver Miller (1970–2025), nine-year NBA veteran

Oliver Miller was a University of Arkansas star and Southwest Conference Player of the Year who went on to a nine-year career in the NBA.

Junior Bridgeman (1953–2025), Milwaukee Bucks co-owner

Junior Bridgeman was a former NBA player who went on to become a successful entrepreneur, owner of Ebony and Jet magazines, and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Alysha Burney (2000–2025), social media star

Alysha Burney was a star of YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where millions of followers watched her comedy videos.

D'Wayne Wiggins (1961–2025), co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!

D'Wayne Wiggins was a singer and producer best known as the co-founder of R&B hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné!, who repeatedly hit the charts in the 1980s and ‘90s with songs like “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “Anniversary,” and “If I Had No Loot.”

Roy Ayers (1940–2025), influential musician and composer

Roy Ayers was a musician and composer whose work on the vibraphone helped push the boundaries of jazz, soul, and funk through works like his 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” 

Sylvester Turner (1954–2025), freshman congressman from Texas

Sylvester Turner was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024, then briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Hazel N. Dukes (1932–2025), longtime civil rights activist

Hazel N. Dukes was a longtime New York-based civil rights activist who once served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint (1934–2025), psychiatrist who explored racism

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint was a psychiatrist whose work studying the impact of racism on Black populations filled books and fueled debates about culture and politics. 

Gwen McCrae (1943–2025), Rockin’ Chair singer 

Gwen McCrae was a soul, funk, and disco singer best known for her 1975 hit, “Rockin’ Chair.” 

Roberta Flack (1937–2025), Killing Me Softly with His Song singer

Roberta Flack was a singer who had No. 1 hits with “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.”

Jerry Butler (1939–2025), first leader of The Impressions

Jerry “Iceman” Butler was the original lead singer for The Impressions, who went on to a successful solo career and later became a Chicago politician.0

Souleymane Cissé (1940–2025), acclaimed Malian filmmaker

Souleymane Cissé was a Malian filmmaker whose work, especially 1987’s “Yeelen,” has been cited as among the greatest-ever examples of African cinema.

Gene “Groove” Allen (1964–2025), Groove B. Chill rapper

Gene “Groove” Allen was a rapper and actor best known for his work in the hip-hop trio Groove B. Chill and for his roles in movies like “House Party” and “House Party 2.” 

Tommy Hunt (1933–2025), Hall of Fame soul singer

Tommy Hunt was a soul singer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Flamingos, whose hits include “I Only Have Eyes for You.” 

Sam Nujoma (1929–2025), first president of Namibia

Sam Nujoma was a leader of Namibia’s decades-long War of Independence, later elected its first president.

Gene Barge (1926–2025), acclaimed saxophonist and producer 

Gene Barge was a saxophonist and producer whose talents crossed paths with generations of music icons, including Natalie Cole, Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Little Richard, and many more.

Olga James (1929–2025), Carmen Jones actress

Olga James was an actress and singer best known for her performance in the 1954 movie musical “Carmen Jones” opposite .

Calvin Jones (1970–2025), star Cornhuskers running back

Calvin Jones was a star running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who later won a Super Bowl ring playing with the Green Bay Packers.

DJ Unk (1982–2025), Walk It Out, 2 Step rapper

Anthony Platt , known by the stage name DJ Unk, was an Atlanta-based rap artist who had snap hits with “Walk It Out” and “2 Step” in 2006.

Nancy Leftenant-Colon (1920–2025), Army Nurse Corps trailblazer

Nancy Leftenant-Colon was a nurse who broke the color barrier when she became the first Black woman to join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps following its desegregation in the 1940s.

Barry Michael Cooper (2025), New Jack City writer

Barry Michael Cooper was a journalist, screenwriter and producer best known for his “Harlem trilogy” of films: “New Jack City,” “Sugar Hill,” and “Above the Rim.”

Gus Williams (1953–2025), Seattle SuperSonics All-Star 

Gus Williams was a 12-year NBA veteran and two-time All-Star with the Seattle SuperSonics who helped lead the team to victory in the 1979 NBA Finals.

Charles Person (1942–2025), youngest of the Freedom Riders

Charles Person was a civil rights activist best known as the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, a group of activists who challenged illegal, unconstitutional racial segregation that was rampant throughout the American South.

Sam Moore (1935–2025), Soul Man singer with Sam & Dave

Sam Moore was the surviving half of the Grammy-winning, Hall of Fame-honored soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave, best known for their enduring hit, “Soul Man.”

Bob Veale (1935–2025), Pittsburgh Pirates ace and World Series winner

Bob Veale was a Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1960s and ‘70s, best known as a World Series-winning ace and strikeout king for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Richard Parsons (1948–2024), head of Citigroup, Time Warner

Richard Parsons was a business executive who rose to lead some of the largest organizations in the world, including having tenures at the top of Time Warner and Citigroup.

Jerry T. Hodges Jr. (1925–2024), Tuskegee Airman

Jerry T. Hodges Jr. was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and one of the last remaining Tuskegee Airmen.

Brenton Wood (1941–2025), The Oogum Boogum Song singer 

Brenton Wood was a singer and songwriter best known for a trio of hits released in 1967: "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and "Baby You Got It." 

Lenny Randle (1949–2024), MLB’s “Most Interesting” player

Lenny Randle was a baseball player for the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and other teams, whose unusual career led him to be called the most interesting man in baseball. 

Greg Gumbel (1946–2024), CBS sportscasting great

Greg Gumbel was a longtime sportscaster best known for his work for CBS on “The NFL Today” and for his coverage of Super Bowls and March Madness.

Art Evans (1942–2024), Die Hard 2 actor

Art Evans was an actor best known for his performance as chief airport engineer Leslie Barnes in “Die Hard 2.” 

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024), MLB’s all-time stolen base leader

Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer who still holds the records for most runs and most stolen bases more than 20 years after his retirement.

Rodessa Barrett Porter (1930–2024), gospel music great

Rodessa Barrett Porter was the last surviving member of the beloved gospel trio The Barrett Sisters.

Alfa Anderson (1946–2024), legend of disco with Chic

Alfa Anderson was a singer best known for her work with the disco icons Chic, who created enduring dance hits with songs like “Le Freak” and “Good Times.” 

Jimmy Wilkerson (1981–2024), former Chiefs defensive end

Jimmy Wilkerson was a defensive lineman for such NFL teams as the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New Orleans Saints.

Lorraine O’Grady (1934–2024), conceptual artist and cultural critic

Lorraine O’Grady was a conceptual artist and cultural critic who won acclaim late in life for her mixed-media work, which often explored race and cultural identity, especially from the perspective of a Black woman in the United States.

Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024), celebrated poet and activist

Nikki Giovanni was an iconic poet of the 1960s and ‘70s Black Arts Movement who authored more than 30 books.

A. Cornelius Baker (1961–2024), HIV testing advocate

A. Cornelius Baker was a public health policy expert who advocated for extensive HIV/AIDS testing and care, even in the early days of the disease.

Peter Westbrook (1952–2024), Olympian who gave back

Peter Westbrook was a pioneering Olympic fencer whose legacy wasn’t just the accolades he won, but also the lives he touched through his nonprofit work.

Rico Carty (1939–2024), 1970 NL batting champion

Rico Carty was a veteran Major League Baseball player best known for his time with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, winning the National League batting title in 1970 with a .366 average.

Tommy Hart (1944–2024), 49ers defensive end 

Tommy Hart was an NFL defensive end in the 1960s through ‘80s, most notably for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sir Lady Java (1942–2024), entertainer and transgender rights activist 

Sir Lady Java was a noted singer, dancer, and entertainer of the 1960s and ‘70s club scene in Los Angeles who became an early transgender activist.

Saafir (1970–2024), Bay Area rapper and actor

Saafir was a Bay Area rapper and actor known for his innovative rhythms, collaborations with artists like Xzibit, and acting career, which included the film “Menace II Society.”

Bob Love (1942–2024), Chicago Bulls great

Bob Love was a three-time All-Star forward for the Chicago Bulls who later became the team’s goodwill ambassador.

Clifton R. Wharton Jr. (1926–2024), former president of MSU

Clifton R. Wharton Jr. was a former Michigan State University president and deputy secretary of state who broke racial barriers when he took the MSU post in 1970.

Roy Haynes (1925–2024), legendary jazz drummer

Roy Haynes was a Grammy Award-winning drummer whose career spanned more than 70 years and covered most major forms of jazz.