Black Obituaries 2023: Notable Black People Who Died Last Year
Rest In Power: Notable Black People Who Died In 2023
Vinie Burrows performing on stage at The Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival. | Source: Jackson State University / Getty
But despite her success, Ms. Burrows said in a 1994 interview with the Rochester, N.Y., newspaper The Democrat and Chronicle, she was beginning to feel dissatisfied chasing roles that tended toward what she called the “dese, dem and dose” variety. She was also dissatisfied with the scant pay. “My babysitter — my little boy was 2 years old — I think made more money than I did,” she said of her experience in “The Blacks” in a 2020 interview with American Theatre magazine, “and I said, ‘I will never work so hard for anybody unless I am working for myself.’” Instead, Ms. Burrows took matters into her own hands as a solo artist. She received rave reviews for her 1968 Off Broadway show, “Walk Together Children,” which she described as “the Black scene in prose, poetry and song.” It drew from the writings of enslaved people, poets and contemporary activists to trace the African American experience.Days after Burrows’ death, Les McCann, the pioneering and legendary jazz pianist, died at 88 following a brief hospitalization for pneumonia. His death on Dec. 29 was confirmed by the New York Times.
Source: Tom Copi / Getty
Mr. McCann’s earthy, uplifting approach to music was a product of his upbringing in a churchgoing family. As he came to emphasize his singing more and play electric keyboards, his albums, released from 1960 to 2018, influenced funk and R&B artists and became a rich vein for hip-hop artists to mine.The day after McCann’s death, one of the last living Memphis Sanitation Workers who protested for better working conditions and pay alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968 died. Elmore Nickelberry died on Dec. 30 following a brief hospitalization. He was 92. No official cause of death was immediately reported. Nickelberry participated in the Memphis sanitation labor strike that resulted in a march led by King the day before the civil rights icon was assassinated. Local Memphis reported about Nickelberry:
Along with the remaining 14 living striking workers of 1968 he was given $50,000 from the City of Memphis under the Strickland administration. This money was given to supplement cost of living increases as many of those workers were still on the payroll without pension and the ability to retire comfortably. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland paid tribute to Nickelberry, following the news with a public statement. “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Elmore Nickelberry, a remarkable man whom I had gotten to know over the last eight years,” Strickland said. He served the public for over 60 years. His contributions to the sanitation strike and the pursuit of fair working conditions will be forever a part of Memphis history and a significant part of the America Civil Rights Movement.” “As we reflect on his life, let us express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who stood alongside him in the pursuit of justice,” Strickland said. “May his legacy inspire future generations to continue the important work of advocating for the rights and dignity of workers everywhere.”READ MORE: Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who Died In 2022 Keep reading below to learn more about the other notable Black people who died last year, in no particular order.
1. Richard Hunt, artist
Famous Chicago artist Richard Hunt has died at the age of 88, which AP confirmed.
According to a statement posted on his website, Hunt “passed away peacefully” at his home on Dec. 16, although no cause of death was immediately reported.
Hunt was the first Black sculptor to receive a solo retrospective at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
He was arguably one of the more influential artists of our generation. During his career, Hunt created more than 160 public sculpture commissions in 24 states and Washington, D.C., according to his website. His sculptures have been displayed all across America, including in at libraries and college campuses.
The Chicago native was a staple in the art community for over seven decades and his contributions to the art world will never be forgotten.
3. Aaron Spears, drummer
Aaron Spears, a Grammy-nominated drummer who played with Usher, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and other major pop stars, died on Oct. 30. He was 47.
The cause of death was not immediately reported.
The Washington, D.C., native was nominated for a Grammy award in 2004 as a producer for Usher’s multi-platinum album Confessions.
Over the years, he would play with several major acts, including Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, Mary Mary and countless others. Spears also served as the drummer and musical coordinator for season 3 of Fox’s The Masked Singer.
4. Richard Roundtree, actor
Legendary actor Richard Roundtree, whose career in Hollywood kicked off the “Blaxploitation” era of films credited in part for changing the trajectory of movie roles for leading Black male actors, died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 24. He was 81.
The death of the actor whose portrayal of the iconic eponymous detective in the Shaft series of movies in the 1970s prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from his Black Hollywood contemporaries.
6. Robert "Boobac Shakur" Lee, anti-pedophilia activist
Robert Wayne Lee, a Michigan man known to his followers online as “Boobac Shakur” who would pretend to be a 15-year-old girl to lure and expose suspected pedophiles, died on Sept. 29 when he was shot after confronting two teenagers who police say he falsely accused of being sexual predators. Lee was 40.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office noted that Lee’s “one-man crusade has led to the arrest and criminal charges being filed against several men.” In fact, in one case, Lee’s online activities led to the arrest of a former police officer. His Instagram account, which remains live with more than 61,000 followers, includes several videos that appear to show him confronting suspected child predators.
7. George McGinnis, NBA Player
Former NBA star George McGinnis died on Dec. 14 at the age of 73 after being hospitalized following complications from a cardiac arrest he suffered earlier that month, according to ESPN.
“From his all-state high school days to his time as an IU All-American and, of course, to his legendary ABA championship runs with the Pacers, George McGinnis shaped so many of the fondest basketball memories for generations of Hoosiers,” said the Simon Family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment in a statement. “He was the very definition of an Indiana basketball legend, a champion, and a Hall of Fame athlete.”
McGinnis graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis in 1969. That same year he became the first Indiana high school basketball player to record 1,000 points in a season.
He was voted Mr. Indiana Basketball and went on to play only one season at Indiana University. He averaged over 30 points a game that lone season, still the only player in Indiana history to accomplish that feat.
McGinnis would later sign with the upstart ABA franchise the Indiana Pacers after the team had won its first ABA title the season prior.
“It kept me home,” he said of the decision to leave IU and sign with the Pacers. “I had just lost my Dad two years previous. I wanted to be close to my Mom. It was just the perfect situation.”
McGinnis went on to win two ABA titles with the Pacers in 1972 and 1973.
In 1973, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers drafted McGinnis to acquire his rights should he ever choose to move to the NBA. McGinnis eventually ended up with the Sixers in 1975 where he played for three seasons.
He would retire from the game as a member of the Pacers who had since moved to the NBA in the ABA-NBA merger in the mid-70s.
McGinnis was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and is one of only four players in franchise history to have his number, 30, retired.
8. Craig Watkins, former Dallas County District Attorney
Craig Watkins, the pioneering district attorney in Dallas County who was also the first Black person to be a top prosecutor in the state of Texas and had a reputation for freeing innocent people wrongly convicted, died on Dec. 12. He was 56. The cause of Watkins’ death was not immediately reported.
Since entering office as a Democrat in 2007, Watkins dedicatedly re-opened old cases in question after establishing a conviction integrity unit. Relying on DNA and in some cases the Texas branch of the Innocence Project, Watkins’ office investigated claims of innocence that eventually resulted in more than a dozen men having their convictions overturned.
Re-elected as Dallas’ D.A. in 2010, the Wall Street Journal described him at the time as the “only prosecutor in America who is making his name getting people out of prison.”
Read more about Watkins’ life by clicking here.
9. Andre Braugher, actor
Andre Braugher, the veteran Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor who portrayed Captain Raymond Holt — known to fans lovingly as “Daptain” — died on Dec. 11 at 61 following a brief illness.
Longtime fans also fondly remember him for his role in another police drama, Homicide: Life on the Street. Detective Frank Pembleton was yet another breakout fan favorite, regarded (and rewarded!) highly throughout the 1990s as one of the greatest TV shows ever. It earned Braugher an Emmy for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series” in 1998.
That is to speak nothing of his legendary and timeless performance alongside Denzel Washington in the 1989 film “Glory” — Braugher’s first movie role — which provided a glimpse of what life was like for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first all-Black military units fighting in the Civil War.
10. Keisha Nash, actress and producer
Keisha Nash, an actress, producer and the ex-wife of award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, died on Dec. 7 at 51. The cause of death was not immediately confirmed.
Nash and Whitaker’s daughter, True, shared the news in her Instagram Stories.
“goodbye mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond,” True, 25, wrote in a message shared with her thousands of followers. “the most beautiful woman in the world… thank you for teaching me every single thing I know. I’ll see you in my dreams and I’ll feel you in my heart.”
Nash met Whitaker in 1994 on the set of “Blown Away,” were married in 1996 and divorced in 2018.
According to Nash’s biography on the IMDB website, she was born on March 8, 1972, in Boston.
Nash had acting and producing credits for multiple projects including 2008’s “Kassim the Dream,” a movie that told the story of a Ugandan boxer who was kidnapped at a young age and forced to become a child soldier in East Africa.
Nash shared two adult daughters with Whitaker, including True’s sister, Sonnet Noel, 27. Nash also had another daughter named Autumn who was born in 1991 during a previous relationship with an ex-boyfriend, according to IMDB.
The movie database website reported that Nash “died following a long battle with anorexia nervosa” and spent “the last months of her life in the hospital with intestinal issues.”
11. Benjamin Zephaniah, poet and actor
Acclaimed poet, writer and actor Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65, according to a statement posted to his Instagram account. He died on Dec. 7, just about two weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much,” the statement said in part. “Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.”
Born of Caribbean heritage in the United Kingdom in 1958, Zephaniah was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young teen before ultimately achieving success in the field of literature and beyond.
12. Roni Dean-Burren dies
Dr. Roni Dean-Burren, a Texas mother and education activist who made national headlines nearly a decade ago after calling out the publisher of her teenage son’s history textbook for whitewashing Black history by incorrectly referring to slaves as migrant “workers,” died on Nov. 24. She was 46.
13. Blaize Pearman
Blaize Pearman, the younger brother of actress and singer Raven-Symoné, has died at 31.
Pearman died on an unspecified date in November, Raven-Symoné said in a video posted to her Instagram.
Raven-Symoné thanked her followers for wishing her a happy 38th birthday on Sunday.
“Hard to fully celebrate knowing that I’m here and he is not,” Raven-Symoné wrote in the caption to her video before shouting out “Dec 16,” which would have been Pearman’s 32nd birthday.
In the video, Raven-Symoné said that her birthday “was a little bittersweet for me to be honest because last month I lost my brother, Blaize. He was battling colon cancer for about two years and he is in a better place now. He’s loved and missed and the emotions that have been weaving in and out of my body and mind and my family, have been a roller coaster.”
Tributes poured in on the Instagram post with fellow celebrities offering their condolences to Raven-Symoné.
“I am so sorry,” singer and actress Kiely Williams wrote in the comments. “There are no words that can ease this kind of pain, but I hope you can find moments of peace and comfort in the weeks and months ahead. You and your family are in my prayers.”
There was no information about a funeral service for Pearman that was immediately announced.
PEOPLE reported more information about Pearman:
Raven-Symoné is the only daughter of her parents Lydia Gaulden and Christopher B. Pearman, and Blaize was their only son. Raven-Symoné has spoken highly of her parents, crediting them for keeping her grounded amid her rise to stardom at a young age.
“My parents taught me to keep my private life private to the best of my ability,” she told Oprah Winfrey in an October 2014 interview. “They showed me all the role models out there that I could turn into and what I want for myself in the future.”
Black people — especially Black men like Pearman — are disproportionately diagnosed with colon cancer.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that 40.4 percent of Black people account for all new colon cancer diagnoses. The rate increases significantly when broken down along gender lines. Data shows that at 47.6 percent, nearly half of Black men accounted for all new cases of colon cancer. That is in comparison to 41.2 percent for white men. The same difference is true for Black women, who have a rate of 35.1 percent compared to 31.9 percent for white women.
14. Jean Knight, singer
New Orleans soul singer Jean Knight died on Nov. 22 at the age of 80, which was confirmed to the Associated Press by family representative Mona Giamanco.
Knight died of natural causes in her home in Tampa, Florida.
“Jean Knight’s legacy is not just a musical one; it is a testament to the enduring love between an artist, her hometown and the fans who adored her,” Knight’s family said in a statement.
The Grammy-nominated singer was most known for her 1971 hit “Mr. Big Stuff.” The song topped Billboard’s R&B chart and was No. 2 on the Billboard 200 pop chart, which earned her a Grammy nomination in 1972 and Stax Records’ top-selling female artist.
Knight also created hits such as “(Don’t Mess With) My Toot Toot” and “Bill.”
In her later life, Knight toured and performed on big festival stages as well as small more intimate gigs like French Quarter and Beal Street venues.
Reginald Toussaint, the executive director of production for the New Orleans Jazz Fest and Essence Music Festival, described Knight as a “wonderful woman.”
“She was genuinely a nice person with a gentle spirit … whenever I saw her she was always smiling,” said Toussaint.
Knight also love living in her New Orleans roots, often cooking Creole dishes for her family and celebrating Mardi Gras. She also served on the Louisiana Music Commission
15. Bishop Carlton Pearson
Bishop Carlton Pearson, the founder of a former megachurch in Oklahoma who notably embraced gay rights and took a unique stance on the topic of hell, died on Nov. 19 at the age of 70.
The Associated Press reported that the cause of Pearson’s death was cancer and cited the pastor’s agent.
Pearson was notably depicted by Academy Award-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Netflix film “Come Sunday,” with gospel artist Kevin Lemons playing Pearson’s singing voice in the movie.
All Souls, the church with which Pearson was affiliated at the time of his death, mourned the bishop’s death in a statement.
“We hope, upon hearing this news, that you will take some time today to reflect on how Bishop Pearson has touched your life,” the church said. “Think about how you will pass on the love and wisdom he has imparted to you.”
16. George "Funky" Brown, drummer and Kool & The Gang founding member
Drummer and one of the founding members of Kool & The Gang, George “Funky” Brown, died Nov. 16 at 74. He died at his home in Los Angeles after losing his battle with stage-4 cancer.
Brown had been diagnosed with lung cancer a while back but had recovered for a while before heading back on tour, but shortly after suffered a relapse and the cancer returned.
Brown co-wrote many songs for the legendary band, including “Ladies Night,” “Too Hot,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Celebration,” and “Cherish.”
18. D.J. Hayden, former NFL player
Former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden was killed Saturday morning in a car crash in Houston, according to The Houston Chronicle.
He was only 33 years old.
Hayden was one of six people who were killed during the two-vehicle crash.
According to AP, around 2 am a Chrysler 300, apparently “going very fast, high velocity,” ran a red light, crashing into an SUV, killing one woman and five men, including Hayden. Four of the five victims in the accident were pronounced dead at the scene.
Houston Police Assistant Chief Megan Howard said the incident is still under investigation as authorities are working to identify the driver of the SUV.
D.J. Hayden was born and raised in Houston and also played his college ball at the University of Houston. In 2013, Hayden was drafted 12 overall by the Raiders in the NFL Draft. He would play eight seasons for the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Raiders released a team statement over the weekend mourning the loss of their former draft pick.
“The Raiders Family is mourning the tragic loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden,” the team said in a statement. “The Raiders’ first-round draft pick out of the University of Houston in 2013, D.J. overcame a heart injury sustained in a college practice to play nine years in the NFL, including his first four with the Silver and Black. D.J.’s courage, perseverance, and dedication to his teammates will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with D.J.’s loved ones at this time.”
The University of Houston also remembered their former student-athlete, extending condolences to Hayden’s family.
“The entire University of Houston community is heartbroken over the tragic passing of former Football student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers remain with Jeffery Lewis in his recovery ahead,” the University of Houston said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, as we collectively mourn the loss of three individuals who made an indelible impact on each life they touched. While their combined talents provided Houston Football some of its most unforgettable moments, their unique legacies will best be remembered for the way they loved their teammates, supported their communities and defied the odds.”
19. C-Knight, rapper
Rapper C-Knight, whose real name is Arnez Blount has died at 52, according to TMZ.
A family member told TMZ that C-Knight died Tuesday after being taken off of life support. He was admitted to the hospital October 18 after suffering a stroke. According to the family, C-Knight suffered a stroke during his dialysis treatment for diabetes. Once he went into cardiac arrest he was resuscitated and placed on life support.
From TMZ:
While getting dialysis at the hospital, he somehow suffered a stroke and went into cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated by doctors and put on life support … but had been in an unresponsive state — with medical staff telling the family there were no signs of progress.
C-Knight’s father last told us they were waiting on the results of a crucial MRI to hopefully see any notable brain activity — but his family kept optimistic while they waited.
C-Knight was a member of the hip-hop group, Dove Shack, which consisted of C-Knight, Bo-Roc, and 2Scoops. Long Beach-based group debuted in 1994 with an appearance on Warren G’s album Regulate… G Funk Era.
In 1995, Dove Shack dropped their biggest song called “Summertime in the LBC,” from their debut album, This Is the Shack. The song reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart, No. 54 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and No. 37 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs.
In 2006, the group released their second album entitled, Reality Has Got Me Tied Up, which featured late rapper Nate Dogg.
After C-Knight’s death fellow group member Bo-Roc took to social to pay tribute to his friend and colleague.
“This is like f—ing nightmare I swear this s— hurt different and I don’t want to talk about s— to nobody so please just let me be and pray for us…,” wrote Bo-Roc. “On my soul I love you bro and I already don’t know what the f— to do wit u being gone… 💔💔🙏🏾🙏🏾.
C-Knight is survived by his father, George Lee Washington Blount Jr.
20. Taraja Ramsess, film stunt actor
Film stunt actor and martial artist Taraja Ramsess, along with three of his children, were killed in a car crash on Halloween night in DeKalb County, Georgia.
According to WSBTV, Ramsess, his 13-year-old daughter Sundari and 1-month-old daughter Fugibo were killed after their vehicle ran into a tractor-trailer that broke down in the left lane of the Wesley Chapel Road exit. His 10-year-old son, who was ejected from the vehicle, passed away days later in the hospital, according to the family’s GoFundMe page.
Ramsess’ 3-year-old child was also hospitalized but survived the accident.
Taraja Ramsess, 41, was a martial artist and stuntman who worked on major films such as “Black Panther” and several “Avengers” films.
Tony Tony Tucci, a longtime friend and sports trainer, told WSBTV that Ramsess’ death was a huge blow to the community.
“When I first heard about it, I broke down,” Tucci said. “I had to sit down.”
He continued, “He was always sharing his experiences, happy and glad to be part of that community. During the screening of Black Panther, he couldn’t stop talking about it. He was so happy to be a part of it.”
Tucci also sent his condolences to Ramsess’ family.
“He was just an amazing person. We have a great loss to this world. It makes you reflect and gives you new perspective on everyone you need to call every day. Because you never know when you last words are going to be to someone.”
Ramsess’ family has set up a GofundMe to help his mother with funeral and memorial services
“Akili Ramsess, a dear friend and colleague to so many, lost her eldest son, the beautiful and talented Taraja, and three of her grandchildren – Taraja’s 13-year-old daughter Sundari and 8-week-old daughter, and 10-year-old son Kisasi – in a horrific traffic accident on Oct. 31,” the page wrote. “We are not sure what her immediate needs are, but we know there will be many. Anyone who knows Akili knows that her greatest joys are her three boys and 10 grandchildren. Her love and devotion to her family knows no limits.”
Click here if you would like to support the GoFundMe.
22. Dr. Brenda Snipes, Florida elections official
Dr. Brenda Snipes, the longtime Florida elections official whose county was ground zero for a host of problems in elections, particularly in 2018 when close races were marred by political attacks from state Republicans, died Thursday at 80.
No cause of death was immediately reported.
Snipes, who enjoyed a previous career in education, notably served as the Broward County Elections Supervisor for 15 years and was at the center of a recount in an election that ultimately went in favor of current Gov. Ron DeSantis, who barely defeated then-Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, Florida’s first and only Black nominee for governor by a major political party.
Snipes was subsequently attacked by Republicans, and even then-President Donald Trump, for how she oversaw the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections. After Broward County didn’t report voting results as often as other counties, it was reported that Snipes’ election office “misplaced” thousands of ballots.
Republican officials accused Snipes of working to give votes to Democratic candidates and called for her to be arrested.
That came after Snipes got sued by Republican U.S. Senate candidate and current Gov. Rick Scott’s senate campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee for alleged “incompetence” because she had not formally announced how many votes were left to count.
In what’s since become an ironic moment, Trump joined in the partisan attack against Snipes and tweeted in part that Broward County has “miraculously started finding Democrat votes.”
Sound familiar?
Snipes argued that Scott was partly to blame for much of the Election Day and recount nightmares because the governor issued time-consuming records requests and lawsuits after the county experienced heavy voter turnout and a significant number of ballots by mail.
The fact that a Black woman was presiding over the vote-counting process in the pivotal Broward County likely only compounded the apparent anger Republicans were expressing over the elections they thought they won. Republicans were alleging Snipes was knowingly committing voter fraud despite suspicions that it was the GOP that robbed the elections from Democrats, including Gillum.
The ordeal prompted Snipes to quit weeks later before rescinding her resignation after Scott suspended her for alleged misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty in a move that threatened her pension.
Snipes earned a salary of $178,865 annually and was eligible for a pension of $71,000 a year after 15 years of service as the county’s elections supervisor. A suspension, however, would eliminate her pension.
Snipes then turned around and slapped Scott with her own lawsuit during his final weeks in office in an effort to save her pension. The lawsuit accused Scott of violating her due process rights by suspending her from office without a fair hearing.
A federal judge ultimately ruled that Scott exceeded his authority when he suspended Snipes from office and DeSantis, who had been inaugurated a governor, accepted her initial resignation with her pension intact.
Snipes had been accused of a variety of improprieties surrounding a number of the state’s elections prior to the 2018 elections. The Washington Post reported at the time that “Broward’s election track record is rocky, marred in the past by mismanagement and improper procedures.”
But her page on the state’s website begged to differ.
“Because of her extensive and successful leadership and administrative skills, Dr. Snipes was asked by Governor Jeb Bush to serve out the term of Supervisor of Elections in Broward County,” her state website said. “She was re-elected for a four-term in November 2004, 2008, 2012, and again in 2016. During her tenure in this position, she has held several successful elections and under her leadership more than 50,000 local high school and college students have been registered to vote.”
23. Bertie Bowman, longest-serving Black Congressional staffer in U.S. history
Bertie Bowman, who worked on Capitol Hill for more than 60 years in various roles from the custodial to those of much more political significance, was 92. He died last Wednesday following multiple heart surgeries, NBC News reported.
More from NBC News:
Born the fifth of 14 children to sharecroppers in South Carolina, Bowman wrote in his 2008 autobiography “Step by Step” that his life changed in 1944 when, during a visit to his hometown, South Carolina Sen. Burnet Maybank told residents: “If you all ever get up to Washington, D.C., drop by and see me!”
Bowman, 13 at the time, took the senator’s word for it and ran away from home. He paid a visit to Maybank, who helped him secure a job sweeping the Capitol steps for $2 a week, according to his autobiography.
During more than 60 years in D.C., Bowman garnered a reputation for doing it all — he worked as a janitor, a cook and a shoe-shiner. He also bore witness to some of the most consequential periods in U.S. history, including Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision ending legal segregation in schools, the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, among others.
In the 1960s, Bowman became a clerk for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later a hearing coordinator, according to CBS News. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union as a volunteer on the credit committee and would go on to become a board member and chair.
24. DJ Mark The 45 King, hip-hop producer
DJ Mark the 45 King, a legendary hip-hop producer behind hit songs for rappers like Jay-Z, Eminem and Queen Latifah, died on Oct. 18 at the age of 62.
25. Gail O'Neill, model and journalist
Gail O’Neill, a pioneering fashion model who later in life worked as a journalist, has died at the age of 61. Women’s Wear Daily first reported O’Neill’s death. She was reported to have died at her home in the Atlanta area on Oct. 12.
There was no official cause of O’Neill’s death immediately reported. However, ArtATL — a news publication for which O’Neill served worked as an editor — reported that she “had courageously fought a serious illness over the past two years.”
30. Irish Grinstead
Irish Grinstead, who rose to prominence in the late 1990s as one-third of the award-winning R&B trio 702, has died, according to her sister. The announcement was posted on Instagram and reported that the singer died on Saturday following a “long battle.” She was 43.
“It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that my beautiful sister and friend has passed away this evening,” LeMisha Grinstead, who is a current member of 702, wrote in an Instagram post late Saturday night. “She has had a long battle and she is finally at peace.”
LeMisha Grinstead eulogized her “beautiful” sister and group mate.
As part of 702, Irish saw mainstream success with hits like “Steelo” and “Where My Girls At,” among others.
The trio also saw a Billboard win with Missy Elliott‘s hit record, “Beep Me 911.” The song also featured a cameo by rapper Magoo, who passed away in August of 2023. He was 50 years old.
702 went through several iterations of the group with several different members. However, Irish Grinstead was a constant throughout it all.
The group is named for the area code of Las Vegas, where Irish was a high school student when she and her group mates were discovered by comedian Sinbad. Afterward, New Edition legend and music mogul Mike Bivins began managing the group. The rest, as they say, is history.
The group three studio albums between 1996 and 2003, and in 2018, 702 announced a reunion tour featuring Irish, LeMisha and Kameelah Williams, an original member.
Irish Grinstead’s death comes more than 15 years after her twin sister, Orish, an original member of 702, died from kidney failure.
32. Mike Williams, NFL Player
Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital from injuries sustained in a construction accident two weeks ago. He was only 36 years old. His death was confirmed by his agent, Hadley Engelhard.
According to AP, Mike Williams was injured at a construction site in Hillsborough County. He was immediately put on a ventilator but was removed from life support on Thursday.
Williams was an accomplished NFL wide receiver who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills from 2010-14. He was a standout college player at Syracuse University and was drafted in the fourth round by the Bucs. As a rookie, he had 11 touchdowns with 65 catches. In 2014, he was traded to Buffalo, where he grew up as a child. He would later play a short stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.
From NFL:
Williams exploded onto the scene in 2010, finishing second in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting to then-St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. The wideout started in all 16 games that season and hauled in 11 touchdowns and 964 receiving yards on 65 receptions. He had another big season in 2012, turning in nine TDs and 996 yards.
The Buccaneers organization released a statement sending their condolences to the family.
“We are saddened to hear of the untimely death of Mike Williams, which has left our organization, his former teammates and fans with very heavy hearts,” said the Bucs organization. “We send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones as they mourn this tragedy.”
35. Clarence Avant, music executive and businessman
Clarence Avant, the music industry veteran executive and businessman who became known as “The Black Godfather” of the entertainment business, died on Sunday. He was 92 years old.
USA Today reported that Avant’s family confirmed the death on Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the family said in part of a statement about the man who the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports.”
More from USA Today:
Avant, a North Carolina native, became a pillar in entertainment after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. There, he formed Sussex Records in 1969, which signed Sixto Rodriguez and soul singer Bill Withers, who released hits “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Use Me” and “Lean on Me,” while signed to the label.
The cause of Avant’s death was not immediately reported.
36. DJ Casper
DJ Casper, the Chicago native who birthed an international dance craze with the “Cha Cha Slide,” died. He was 58 years old.
Born Willie Perry Jr, Casper had been diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016. His time in the limelight began with the “Cha Cha Slides” released in 2000. The record, which was accompanied by a dance, topped music charts in the United States and abroad. Even twenty years later, the track remains a popular song of choice at parties, celebrations and sporting events.
Earlier this year, Casper told Chicago’s ABC7 that even he was surprised that the song became a global phenomenon.
“When I first did it, I did it as an aerobic exercise for my nephew at Bally’s,” Casper said. “From there, it just took off. Elroy Smith from WGCI grabbed ahold of it.”
During his interview, Casper reflected on the lasting impact the “Cha Cha Slide” made on an international scale.
“I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics,” Casper said. “It was something that everybody could do.”
Casper also talked about his health complications, encouraging his fans to keep pushing.
“I used to weigh 236 pounds, and I think I’m about 60 pounds less,” Casper told ABC7. “If you know me, you know I’m not going to stop. I’m going to continue to go. I’m going to continue to go until I can’t go.”
He continued, “Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you,” Casper said. “So, keep on doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide.’”
Let’s keep DJ Casper and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
37. Sheila Oliver, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver has died at the age of 71, according to her family.
Oliver was the first Black woman to serve in the statewide-elected position. Her cause of death was not disclosed by the family.
“She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero,” the Oliver family said in a statement to CNN. “Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community.”
Sheila Oliver was a woman of many firsts. She was a graduate of Lincoln University and obtained her Master’s from Columbia University
Oliver has served as the state’s lieutenant governor since January 2018. Not only was she the first Black woman to hold the position, but also the first woman of color to serve in a statewide elected office in the history of New Jersey. Oliver also served as speaker of the state general assembly in 2003, becoming the first Black woman to achieve that feat as well.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he and his family were “incredibly saddened and distraught” when they found out about Oliver’s passing.
Murphy issued a statement about the tragic loss calling Oliver a trailblazer.
“When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” Murphy said in a statement to CNN. “She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation’s history to lead a house of a state legislature. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made.”
Oliver’s colleagues remembered her as a “compassionate and accomplished legislator.”
“Sheila will be remembered as a pioneer in public service paving the way for so many women, but most of all I will remember her for the thoughtful compassion with which she approached the legislative process,” Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald said in a statement to CBS News.
“She never forgot what this work was all about: the people, said Attorney General Matt Platkin. “And she always believed things could get better – better for an individual, better for a community, better for a state. The world needs more Sheila Olivers. May she rest in peace.”
38. John Beasley, actor
Hollywood actor John Beasley has died at the age of 79. His death which, was confirmed by his son Tyrone Beasley, comes after John had been undergoing tests on his liver. His condition unexpectedly worsened right before his passing.
John Beasley appeared in movies and Broadway plays for the past two decades. One of his most memorable roles came in 1993 when Beasley played an assistant coach in the famous football movie Rudy. That same year Beasley also starred in Losing Isaiah across from Halle Berry.
His movie list is quite remarkable. He also starred in The Mighty Ducks, The Apostle, Little Big League, The Sum of All Fears, as well as the remake of Walking Tall and most recently the 2022 film Firestarter.
Beasley also spent quite some time onstage. He recently appeared on a Chicago Broadway musical The Notebook, which is based on the book which became a very popular film in 2004. Beasley appeared on TV as well, appearing on shows like Missing Persons, Early Edition, CSI, Judging Amy, Boston Legal, Treme and The Mandalorian.
“Man…you know this is a part of life…but that doesn’t make it any easier,” wrote Tyrone. “I lost my best friend today. They say you shouldn’t ever meet your heroes because they don’t turn out to be who you thought they were. That is so wrong. My hero was my father. Thank you for everything. I hope I made you proud. Love you more.”
39. Jim Brown, football player, activist
Jim Brown, the football legend who also became an activist, actor and overall mainstay in popular culture, has died at the age of 87. The Associated Press reported that Brown died Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles. No cause of death was immediately reported.
From the AP:
One of the greatest players in football history and one of the game’s first superstars, Brown was chosen the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1965 and shattered the league’s record books in a short career spanning 1957-65.
Brown led the Cleveland Browns to their last NFL title in 1964 before retiring in his prime after the ’65 season to become an actor. He appeared in more than 30 films, including “Any Given Sunday” and “The Dirty Dozen.”
An unstoppable runner with power, speed and endurance, Brown’s arrival sparked the game’s burgeoning popularity on television. When he finished playing, Brown became a prominent leader in the Black power movement during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s.
Aside from professional football, Brown also enjoyed a lengthy career as an actor in Hollywood, where he would star and appear in productions for four decades.
In the 1960s, Brown became actively involved in the civil rights movement and founded the Black Economic Union, which focuses on community revitalization “while stimulating economic growth for existing independently owned area businesses,” according to its website.
Decades later, Brown founded the Amer-I-Can Foundation, an academic-centered organization serving “at-risk and high risk youth in underserved schools and juvenile detention facilities,” its website says.
In later years, Brown’s political activity turned slightly to the right; namely during Donald Trump’s presidency, which Brown would often defend.
While Brown never offered his full-throated endorsement of Trump, he also would not condemn it.
During a memorable meeting in the White House attended by both the press as well as rapper Kanye West, Brown spoke glowingly of Trump.
“We had the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States which everybody doesn’t have that privilege,” Brown told reporters back in 2018. “With me, at 82 years old, the only thing I could talk about was how to help other people. So, it was very positive.”
“This is the President of the United States,” Brown added. “He allowed me to be invited to his territory, he treated us beautifully, and he shared some thoughts, and he will be open to talking when I get back to him. That’s the best he could do for me.”
40. Bill Perkins, Harlem politician
Bill Perkins, the venerable New York City politician who served in the city council and state senate over the course of several decades representing his hometown of Harlem, has died at the age of 74. He died on the night of May 15 in his Harlem home, his wife confirmed with the Amsterdam News.
“After a lifetime fighting for justice, equality and to make the of our community heard, my husband, former City Councilman and State Senator died at his home in Harlem, the community he loved and fought for his entire life” Pamela Green Perkins said in a statement. “May he rest in peace and power.”
No cause of death was immediately reported.
Perkins, a Democrat, was remembered by the New York Daily News as a politician who “emerged as a leading progressive voice — a supporter of the Central Park Five, an early voice against the Iraq War and for LGBT rights.”
Perkins served in the New York state senate from 2007 to 2017. He was first elected to the New York City Council in 1997.
When his city council term limit expired in 2005, he ran for Manhattan Borough President. While he came up short in that race, the loss paved the way for Perkins’ successful run in the state senate, where he would serve for a decade.
41. Vida Blue – Major League Baseball player
Vida Blue, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who led the Oakland Athletics franchise to win three straight World Series in the 1970s, died on May 13 at the age of 73. It was neither immediately clear where Blue died nor the cause of his death.
The Oakland A’s eulogized Blue on Twitter with a brief statement acknowledging the death and explaining why he meant so much to the ball club.
“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue, the team statement began. “He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young winner, and an Oakland A’s Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time.”
The New York Times reported how Blue energized fan bases of all MLB teams, not just the A’s, because of his legendary pitching prowess.
Opposing hitters spoke mystically of how Blue’s fastballs would disappear or jump over their bats. Reporters speculated about why he carried two dimes in his pocket when he pitched, with some suggesting it was a charm to help him win 20 games. Across the country, attendance at his outings swelled to levels that stadiums had not seen in years. Fans of an opposing team, the Detroit Tigers, chanted outside the clubhouse, “We want Vida!”
Blue also made Black history as a pitcher.
During the 1971 season, he and Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates were both names starting pitchers for that year’s all-star game, the first time two Black pitchers started each other in MLB all-star game history.
42. Tori Bowie, track and field champion
Tori Bowie, an Olympic gold medalist in track and field, has died at the young age of 32. The death of Bowie, who was found dead in her Florida home, was confirmed by the athlete’s sports management agency.
“We’re devasted to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” Icon Management Inc. tweeted on May 3. “We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.”
No cause of Bowie’s death was reported, according to TMZ.
43. Larry “Gator” Rivers, Harlem Globetrotters legend
Former Harlem Globetrotter and Georgia high school basketball legend Larry “Gator” Rivers, died April 29 at the age of 73 after losing his battle with cancer. Rivers died at a hospital in his hometown of Savannah, according to Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis.
Larry Rivers was a pioneer for high school basketball in the state of Georgia. Rivers participated on the all-Black Beach High School team that won the first Georgia High School Association basketball tournament to include Black and white players in 1967. By the time he was a senior, River was an all-state hooper and would go on to be an all-American talent Moberly Junior College in Missouri.
After college, Larry Rivers went on to play and coach for 16 seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters, a traveling exhibition basketball team that originated in 1926 and was a place where talented Black players could show the world their skills.
After Rivers’ basketball career, he returned back to Savannah and become involved in the community. He volunteered in schools and promoted the rebuilding of neighborhood basketball courts. He eventually ran for county commission in 2020 and was elected after his opponent was disqualified.
44. Harry Belafonte, singer, actor, activist
Actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte has died at the age of 96, according to the New York Times.
The actor, who was a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, died Tuesday morning of congestive heart failure. His death was confirmed by his publicist Ken Sunshine.
Harry Belafonte was a pioneer in so many ways. He’s arguably one of the most successful Caribbean-American signers of all time. His first album Calypso, which premiered in 1956, sold over a million records. With hit songs like “The Banana Boat Song,” and “Jump In The Line,” Harry Belafonte’s rise to fame was inevitable. He would go on to perform on Broadway and star in numerous mega films such as Bright Road and Island In The Sun.
But music wasn’t Belafonte’s only passion. His support for the Civil Rights Movement ultimately defined who he was as a person. Belafonte was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s confidants, often helping the family finically since King only made an honest living as a preacher.
Belafonte, along with Sidney Poitier, also helped bankroll the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the “Mississippi Freedom Summer” of 1964. He also served as chairman of the International Symposium of Artists and Intellectuals for African Children in Dakar, Senegal. Belafonte successfully leveraged his entertainment popularity to help drive social change all over the world.
Friends, family and fans took to social media to celebrate Harry Belafonte’s legacy and remember the leader, entertainer and civil rights pioneer.
“May Harry Belafonte, the lionhearted civil rights hero, rest in peace,” tweeted journalist Christian Amanpour. “He inspired generations around the whole world in the struggle for non-violent resistance justice and change. We need his example now more than ever.”
Educator Nina Turner tweeted a perfect Belafonte quote that eloquently sums up his legacy.
“I was an activist who became an artist, I was not an artist who became an activist.” – Harry Belafonte
45. Otis Redding III
Otis Redding III, the youngest son of the iconic soul singer who became a revered musician in his own right, has died at the age of 59.
As reported by ABC affiliate WGXA in Macon, GA, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones confirmed Redding’s death at a local hospital on Tuesday (Apr. 18), following a battle with cancer.
His sister, Karla Redding-Andrews, posted a statement on the Facebook page of the family charity, the Otis Redding Foundation:
Born in 1963, Otis III was only three when his famous father died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967. However, Otis III and his older brother, Dexter, would keep their father’s musical legacy alive with their funk band, The Reddings.
The Reddings would achieve moderate success, releasing six studio albums between 1980 and 1988. Their singles included “Remote Control” (peaking at #6 on Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart) and “Call The Law” (#16 on Hot Black Singles).
Following the band’s breakup in 1988, Otis III continued to tour on the Soul/Blues circuit. He also worked with the family’s foundation to organize summer camps for kids to learn music and served as board president for the local chapter of Meals on Wheels.
47. Willis Reed, NBA hall of famer
NBA Hall of Famer and Knicks legend, Willis Reed, has died at the age of 80 according to multiple reports.
In 2018, Reed underwent surgery after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Willis Reed was arguably the greatest Knicks player of all time. The two-time NBA Finals MVP was a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary team, named an All-Star five times and Reed and won league MVP in the 1969-70 season. He was also named to the All-NBA team five times. Reed was also a Louisiana native and standout at Grambling State University.
Although undersized, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound center averaged nearly 19 points and 13 rebounds during his career. Reed is also one of three players to ever win All-Star MVP, NBA MVP, and NBA Finals MVP in the same season. The only other players to achieve this feat are Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.
From ESPN:
His most famous moment came during Game 7 of the 1970 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. After a thigh injury had sidelined him in the previous game, Reed shocked the Madison Square Garden crowd by walking onto the court during warmups.
He scored the Knicks’ first two field goals and went on to win Finals MVP as the Knicks won the franchise’s first championship. Reed was again named Finals MVP two seasons later after New York’s second title.
Reed’s career was cut short by injuries, and he retired shortly after the second title run. He went on to briefly coach the Knicks before taking over at Creighton from 1981-85.
He eventually joined the New Jersey Nets in 1988, first as a coach and then as a member of the front office, helping to build the franchise into a championship contender in the early 2000s.
Reed’s legacy as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live will never die.
48. Lance Reddick, actor
Lance Reddick, the actor widely known for his role in the hit cable crime drama, “The Wire,” has died, according to reports.
First reported by TMZ, Reddick was found dead at his home in California on Friday morning. His cause of death was not immediately reported.
TMZ reported that law enforcement said the death of the 60-year-old “appears to be natural.”
NBC News published a statement from Reddick’s publicist asking to respect the actor’s grieving family’s privacy.
“Acclaimed actor Lance Reddick passed away suddenly this morning from natural causes,” Mia Hansen said. “Lance will be greatly missed. Please respect his family’s privacy at this time.”
Reddick also made a name for starring in the John Wick movie series, the latest of which he had been in the middle of promoting when he died.
“John Wick: Chapter 4” is scheduled to be released in movie theaters on March 24.
Reddick rose to fame playing the character of Baltimore Police Lieutenant Cedric Daniels, who appeared in all five seasons of “The Wire” on HBO.
Acting wasn’t Reddick’s only talent in the arts.
In 2011, he released his first album, “Contemplations and Rememberances.”
He previously attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied classical composition. He also played piano and said he always wanted to be a musician, but the acting jobs came first, which allowed him to take care of his family.
Reddick is survived by his wife, Stephanie Reddick, and two children, daughter Yvonne Nicole and son Christopher Reddick.
49. Felton Spencer, former NBA player
Former NBA Basketball star Felton Spencer died on March 12 at the age of 55. Spencer’s death was confirmed by his sister Tammy Pollock in a tweet, but there was no cause of death mentioned.
Before Spencer took his talents to the NBA, he was a standout student-athlete at the University of Louisville. Spencer ended his college career with h 1,168 points and 694 rebounds. He also holds the school record for career field goal percentage (62.8%). During his time at the school, he helped the Cardinals win three consecutive Metro Conference tournaments and two Sweet 16 appearances.
51. Johanna Mazibuko, world's oldest person
Johanna Mazibuko, the oldest woman in South Africa, recently died following a long life of 128 years. Prior to her death on March 3, Mazibuko was believed to have been the oldest person living in the world.
Johanna Mazibuko, who was born on May 11, 1894, died two months before she was set to turn 129.
The cause of Mazibuko’s death was not immediately confirmed.
Local media outlet News 24 reported:
Speaking to News24 on Tuesday, her caregiver and daughter-in-law Thandiwe Wesinyana, better known as MmaLerato, said Mazibuko may have died from a stroke.
“Ouma [Mazibuko] wasn’t feeling well, so I took her to the hospital on 14 February. At the hospital, the left side of her body was numb, and doctors said it might be a stroke. She was given high blood medication and painkillers, then discharged on 28 February,” said Mmalerato.
Mazibuko spent three days at home and died the next day.
MmaLerato said she was at the supermarket when Mazibuko died. Her sister Elisa was by her side.
She said:
On my return, it started raining heavily as I entered the yard. I ran into the house, put my plastics down, and immediately boiled the kettle to make tea. While I was doing that, her sister, Elisa, said, ‘Ouma is gone’.
Mazibuko said last year that she was “amazed” at how long she had been able to live while also questioning the reasoning for her longevity.
“I am amazed at why I am still here after so many years. Why am I still here? People around me have been dying,” Mazibuko told News 24 at the time. “When will I die? What’s the point of being alive? The world has tired me because I am just sitting here doing nothing.”
Chances are that Mazibuko was indeed the oldest person living, and perhaps even the oldest person of all time.
Previously, a French woman who died in 1997 was recognized as being the oldest person in history.
Jeanne Calment, who was born in the late 1800s like Mazibuko, lived to be 122 years old.
52. Wayne Shorter, jazz legend
Legendary jazz musician Wayne Shorter died on March 2 at the age of 89 in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by his publicist Alisse Kingsley.
The saxophonist and composer was one of the most influential jazz musicians on the planet.
Coming in prominence in the 1950s, Shorter was the primary composer for Art Blakey’s Bass Messengers. He would later partner with Miles Davis joining his Second Great Quintet, then co-founding the world-renowned jazz fusion band Weather Report.
Shorter composed 20 albums as a bandleader of the Weather Report. He also recorded several albums for Blue Note Records, composing the majority of the music.
54. Irv Cross, NFL Player and sport analyst
Former NFL player Irv Cross has died at the age of 81. Cross, who was the first Black full-time sports analyst on national television, suffered from stage 4 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, according to Boston University researchers. The degenerative brain disease made life tough for Cross in his final days as he suffered from depression, mood swings and memory loss that forced him into isolation.
“He really didn’t want to be with people,” said his widow, Liz Cross. “The only person he wanted to be with was me. When he was with me, he really didn’t want to be with me. He just wanted me to be there.”
Cross was diagnosed with mild cognitive dementia in 2018, and his family says after the diagnosis he often sat in a chair complaining of headaches that never went away. He also stopped going to church, could barely watch football anymore and struggled physically with his balance and was paranoid.
Toward the end,” Cross said, “he saw things that weren’t there.”
Irv Cross, of course, was not alone in misery among his former NFL brethren. According to its latest report, the BU CTE Center said it has diagnosed 345 former NFL players with CTE out of 376 former players who were studied, a rate of 91.7%. The disease can be diagnosed only after death.
“He was the nicest, kindest, most helpful, wonderful man I ever met,” Cross said. “But that wasn’t who he was at the end. And that wasn’t who he was. It was the disease that did that.”
Dr. Ann McKee, a professor of neurology and pathology at Boston University, said she was not surprised Irv Cross’ brain reached stage 4 given the length of his overall football career (the study counted 17 years) and his age. Irv Cross and his family made the decision to donate his brain to help raise awareness of the long-term consequences of repeated blows to the head.
“I do think there’s more education about the risks of football and I do think there’s more awareness of concussion management but I still think we’re way, way behind where we should be,” McKee said. “We need to educate young athletes that this is a risk that they are undertaking. We need to educate coaches to keep head trauma out of the game. We need to do more managing of athletes by monitoring them better. I still think there’s a very cavalier attitude toward CTE. There’s a lot of denial.”
Cross was an outstanding NFL player, During his career, he was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who had 22 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns. In 1971 he joined CBA and became the first Black network sports show anchor. Although CTE made it hard on Cross towards the end of his life, his wife said he never regretted playing football.
“He would have done it again in a heartbeat,” she said. “But he didn’t think kids should play football.”
55. Oi Fashion Rocks In Rio – Charity Auction
Glória Maria, a pioneering broadcast journalist in Brazil who is widely believed to be the country’s first Black TV reporter of African descent, died on Feb. 2 at the age of 73.
The New York Times reported that Maria “toppled barriers for Black women in television at a time when the country’s anchor chairs were mostly filled by white men.”
Globo, her longtime employer, said in an announcement that the cause was a cancer that she had seemingly beaten in 2019, but that returned last year and had spread to her brain.
Glória Maria spent more than five decades in front of the camera at Globo TV, Brazil’s largest television network, becoming a Black idol in a country with a history of deep racial prejudice.
Starting as a local reporter in Rio, she went on to work as a correspondent and anchor. She reported from more than 100 countries, covering the 1982 Falklands War, the 1996 Japanese embassy hostage crisis in Peru, two World Cups and two Olympics.
“I was very poor,” she told a Brazilian television program in 2019. “I didn’t have money to see the world. I started traveling with Globo TV, and then I made the world my playground.”
According to a Brazilian news report, Maria was the South American country’s “first black reporter to stand out on TV and to use the law against racism. That last part was a reference to the time Maria cited a 1951 Brazilian law designed to punish racial discrimination.
The first black reporter to stand out on Brazilian television, she was proud to be one of the pioneers in using the Afonso Arinos Law , from 1951, which included racial discrimination among criminal offenses. She said, in an Instagram post from 2019, that, when she was prevented from entering through the front door of a hotel in Rio, in 1970, she sued the manager, who said that black people could not enter that way. Glória called the police, the manager was sued and, being a foreigner, he was expelled from the country. When remembering the story, she reaffirmed its importance in the fight against discrimination.
Upon Maria’s death, news outlets fondly remembered a number of the high-profile interviews she conducted, including one with the legendary Michael Jackson, who was in Rio de Janeiro in 1996 and on the set of a video shoot for his hit song, “They Don’t Care About Us.”
56. Huey 'Piano' Smith, rock 'n roll pianist
Huey “Piano” Smith, whose two-fisted keyboard style and rambunctious songs propelled the sound of New Orleans R&B into the pop Top 10 in the late 1950s, died on Feb. 13 at his home in Baton Rouge. He was 89.
His daughter Acquelyn Donsereaux confirmed his death.
Mr. Smith wrote songs that became cornerstones of New Orleans R&B and rock ’n’ roll perennials, notably “Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu,” “Don’t You Just Know It” and “Sea Cruise.”
58. Thomas W. Dortch Jr.
Atlanta civic leader Thomas W. Dortch Jr., the chairman of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s board and former leader of 100 Black Men of America, has died at the age of 72. No cause or date of Dortch’s death was immediately reported. The Georgia native was also a successful businessman in his own right.
59. Stanley Wilson Jr., former NFL player
Stanley Wilson Jr., a former NFL cornerback with the Detroit Lions, died on Feb. 1 in police custody. He was just 40 years old.
Wilson Jr. had been in police custody following his vandalism arrest back in August … but according to prosecutors, he was declared incompetent to stand trial and was transferred from county jail to the Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles County on Feb. 1.
But, law enforcement sources tell us during intake at the medical facility — which specializes in caring for those with mental health issues — he collapsed and died.
60. AKA, rapper
AKA, a South African rapper, was shot to death on Feb. 10 outside of a restaurant in the city of Durban. He was 35 years old.
The police said that AKA, 35, had been walking to his car on a popular nightlife strip shortly after 10 p.m. when two armed people approached from across the street and fired several shots at close range before running away.
AKA, whose legal name was Kiernan Forbes, and another man died at the scene, the police said. Although the police did not name the second victim, South African news reports identified him as AKA’s close friend Tebello Motsoane, a 34-year-old chef and music entrepreneur known as Tibz.
62. Charlie Thomas, of the Drifters
Charlie Thomas, who recorded memorable songs like “There Goes My Baby” and “Under the Boardwalk” with the Drifters, the silken-voiced R&B group that had a long string of hits from 1959 to 1964 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Fame, died on Jan. 31 at his home in Bowie, Md. He was 85.
The singer Peter Lemongello Jr., a close friend, said the cause was liver cancer.
Mr. Thomas, a tenor, was a Drifter for more than 60 years, from the version of the group that had its first hits in the late 1950s to the version he led and toured with until the pandemic struck.
63. Brandon Smiley
Brandon Smiley, the son of comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley, died on Jan. 29 at the age of 32. Brandon is Rickey’s oldest son with his mother Brenda. He also has a daughter named Storm.
A comedian in his own right, Brandon was also featured in the TV One reality show “Rickey Smiley For Real.”
64. Fred White, Earth Wind & Fire drummer
Fred White, the drummer for the legendary R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, died on Jan. 1. He was 67 years old.
The fourth of the White brothers to perform in Earth, Wind & Fire, Fred was one of the famous band’s early members … joining EWF way back in 1974 when he was just 19 years old.
Fred played drums on 8 different Earth, Wind & Fire albums … plus some of their biggest hit songs like “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Saturday Night” and “Shining Star” … and he’s one of the 9 band members inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
65. Lynette "Diamond" Hardaway
Lynette Hardaway, also known as one-half of the MAGA duo Diamond and Silk, died on Jan. 9.
66. Gangsta Boo, rapper
Lola Chantrelle “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell, who rose to prominence as part of the Three 6 Mafia collective, was found dead on New Year’s Day at a home in Memphis just hours after celebrating the end of 2022 with her family at a concert. She had been showing no signs of distress in the hours before her death, according to reports. Gangsta Boo was 43 years old.
Rest In Power: Notable Black People Who Died In 2023 was originally published on newsone.com
