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Obituaries

Legendary dancer Carmen de Lavallade, who broke barriers and inspired generations, has passed away at 94.

Gospel legend Richard Smallwood, 8-time Grammy nominee, dies at 77 after kidney failure. Pioneered contemporary gospel sound.

Legendary Memphis soul artist Don Bryant, known for hits like 'I Can't Stand the Rain,' passes away at 83.

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day even, death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. Still, as much of a fact as that may be, the blow of experiencing loss never gets any easier, nor does reporting on the subject in Black culture.

The longtime drummer for The Time and founding father of "The Minneapolis Sound," passed away on Nov. 21, two days following his 69th birthday.

Michael Madsen, Iconic Actor Known for ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill,’ Dies at 67 Michael Madsen, the celebrated actor known for his tough-guy roles in films like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco, has passed away at the age of 67. Madsen was found unresponsive at his Malibu home on Thursday, July 3, 2025, and was pronounced […]

Esaw Snipes-Garner became a community activist after her husband, Eric Garner, was killed in an act of police violence.

Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel died Monday at 94. He leaves behind a legacy of working to change the lives of Black people in America.

D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the legendary soul/R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at 64 following a battle with bladder cancer.

Dr. Hazel Dukes, a prominent figure in New York State politics and former NAACP national president, died at the age of 92 over the weekend. Numerous poilitical figures paid homage to her lengthy career of service.

Sha'Vi Lewis, a Clark Atlanta alum who competed in Bravo's fashion-competition series "Project Runway," passed away on Feb. 24.

Dr. Alvin Poussaint studied the tendrils of systemic racism and Black self-sufficiency along with serving as a consultant to hit TV shows.