In addition to cherished local figures we lost in 2023, this year, several notable national Black figures passed away in the entertainment, sports, civil rights, and art industries. Their achievements have influenced countless generations. Here, we list just some of those losses.
(first row, l-r) Rapper Lola Chantrelle “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell, 43, died of an accidental overdose on Jan. 1; De La Soul rapper David Jude Jolicoeur (aka Trugoy the Dove), 54, died after a struggle with congestive heart issues on Feb. 12; NBA Hall of Famer, Willis Reed, 80, died after a struggle with congestive heart issues on March 21; jazz piano great Ahmad Jamal, 92, died of prostate cancer on April 16; Olympic Gold medalist in track and field, Tori Bowie, 32, died of childbirth complications on April 23; legendary actor and activist Harry Belafonte, 95, died of congestive heart failure on April 25; MLB pitcher and World Series Champion, Vida Blue, 73, died of medical complications stemming from cancer on May 6.
(second row, l-r) NFL legend, activist, and actor, Jim Brown, 87, died of natural causes on May 18; music icon Tina Turner, 83, died of natural causes on May 24; actor and activist John Beasley, 79, died of an unexpected illness on May 30; activist, teacher, and sister of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr., Christine King Farris, 95, died on June 29; New Jersey Lieutenant Governor, Sheila Oliver, 71, died on Aug. 1; “Cha Cha Slide” creator, DJ Casper, 58, died of cancer on Aug. 7; the “Godfather of Black Music,” Clarence Avant, 92, died on Aug. 13.
(third row, l-r) 702 R&B singer, Irish Grinstead, 43, died on Sept. 16; Zoleka Mandela, 43, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, died of cancer on Sept. 25; trailblazing reporter, Charles Porter Jr., 81, died on Oct. 2; Tulsa Race Massacre survivor, Hughes Van Ellis, 102, died on Oct. 9; model and journalist Gail O’Neil, 61, died on Oct. 10; novelist and journalist Louise Meriwether, 100, died of natural causes on Oct. 10; Isley Brothers founding member, Rudolph Isley, 84, died of an heart attack on Oct. 11.
(fourth row, l-r) Women’s basketball coach and former Lynx player Tasha Butts, 41, died of breast cancer on Oct. 22; legendary “Shaft” actor, Richard Roundtree, 81, died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 24; Bertie Bowman, 92, longest-serving Black congressional staffer, died of natural causes on Oct. 25; NBA All-Star and UNC basketball legend Walter Davis, 69, died of natural causes on Nov. 2; G-funk pioneer and Dove Shack founding member C-Knight (Arnez Blount), 52, died of diabetes complications on Nov. 7; former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden, 33, was killed in a car crash on Nov. 11; Kool & the Gang drummer and songwriter George “Funky” Brown, 74, died after a battle with lung cancer on Nov. 22.
(fifth row, l-r) Legendary “Mr. Big Stuff” songstress Jean Knight, 80, died of natural causes on Nov. 22; America’s first Black soap opera star Ellen Holly, 92, died on Dec. 7; acclaimed South African singer Zahara (Bulelwa Mkutukana), 36, died of liver disease on Dec. 11; famed actor, Andre Braugher, 61, died of lung cancer on Dec. 11; Indiana basketball legend, George McGinnis, 73, died of cardiac arrest on Dec. 14; pioneering sculptor Richard Hunt, 88, died on Dec. 16; singer, songwriter, musician Joseph Anthony “Amp” Fiddler, 65, died of cancer on Dec. 17.
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