December 25th, 2024

2024 year in review: Black icons we lost

In 2024 we lost so many influential people who shaped the world in significant ways, from political leaders, activists and business pioneers to athletes, entertainers and change-makers. Sadly, I knew many of these great folks on a personal level. I also interviewed many of them over the years. Here is a list of some noteworthy figures who died this year. Longer obituaries can be found in the Bay State Banner archives. 

Marlena Shaw
The legendary jazz and soul singer passed on January 19 at the age of 84.

Hinton Battle
The three-time Tony Award-winner passed away on January 30 at the age of 67. He was noted as the first Scarecrow in Broadway’s original production of “The Wiz.”

Carl Weathers
Actor, director, and former gridiron linebacker Carl Weathers transitioned on February 1 at age 76 from heart disease. He is perhaps best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movie franchise.

Hydeia Broadbent
Hydeia Broadbent, the HIV/AIDS activist, came to national prominence in the 1990s as a young child for her inspirational talks to reduce the stigma surrounding the virus she was born with. Died on February 20 at age 39.   

Dexter Scott King
The Civil Rights activist and the son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dexter King passed away after a battle with prostate cancer on January 22. He was 62 years old.

Henry Fambrough
The last surviving original member of the legendary Motown R&B group, the Spinners, passed away on February 7 at age 85. His death came just a few short months after his group’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Louis Gossett Jr.
The actor, who was the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, passed away on March 29. He was 87 years old.

DJ Mister Cee
The pioneering hip-hop DJ and longstanding fixture of New York City rap radio passed away on April 10 at the age of 57.

O.J. Simpson
The former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner, who maintained a controversial public profile after being tried for his wife’s death in 1995, passed away on April 10 after a private battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.

Faith Ringgold
The groundbreaking painter, visual artist, and author whose revolutionary work expressed cultural and political messages during the Civil Rights movement passed away on April 12 at the age of 93.

Enchanting
Texas-born rapper Channing Nicole Larry, known on the stage as Enchanting, passed away on June 11 after a reported battle with complications from withdrawal. She was 26 years old.

Willie Mays
The electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players died June 18. He was 93.

Bill Cobbs
The prolific character actor, perhaps best known for his roles in films like Night at the Museum, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and many more, passed away at his California home on June 25 at age 90.

Duke Fakir
Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir was an American singer. He co-founded the Motown quartet the Four Tops and performed in an ensemble under that name from 1953 until shortly before his death. He was the group’s last surviving original member. Duke passed away on July 22. He was 88 years old.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
The U.S. representative for Texas’ 18th congressional district and noted Civil Rights pioneer passed away due to complications of pancreatic cancer on July 22. She was 74.

Erica Ash
The actress, perhaps best known for her roles in BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” STARZ’s “Survivors Remorse” and most recently, the Netflix film “We Have a Ghost,” passed away on July 29 at the age of 46.

Wallace Amos
Wallace “Wally” Amos, the creator of the Famous Amos cookie empire went on to become a children’s literacy advocate. He died August 13, at the age of 88.

Beatking
The titan of Houston party hip-hop, whose real name was Justin Riley, passed away from complications related to pulmonary embolism on August 15. He was 39 years old.

John Amos
John Amos, the star of the sitcom “Good Times,” the television miniseries “Roots” and more, died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes. He was 84.

Fatman Scoop
Born Issac Freeman III, the legendary New York musician died after he collapsed mid-performance during a free concert in Hamden, Conn., on August 31. He was 53.

Rich Homie Quan
Rich Homie Quan, the multiplatinum-selling artist from Atlanta, passed away on September 5 in his Atlanta home. He was 33.

James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who defined an era of film, television, and theater, passed away on September 9. He was 93.

Frankie Beverly
Frankie Beverly, with his band Maze, inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go.” He was 77 years old when he died on September 10.

Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson, an original member of the hit-making pop group the Jackson 5, passed away on September 16. He was 70.

Dikembe Mutumbo
Dikembe Mutombo, the Hall of Fame basketball center, died of brain cancer on September 30. He was 58.

Cissy Houston
Cissy Houston, renowned soul and gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, died on October 7. She was 91.

Quincy Jones
Musical icon Quincy Jones, the composer, producer and Berklee College of Music alumus who collaborated with luminaries such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, died November 3. He was 91.

Tony Todd
Tony Todd, the actor who played Candyman, died November 6 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 69.

Judith Jamison
Judith Jamison, an internationally acclaimed dancer who later served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 20 years, passed away on November 9. She was 81.

Clifton R. Wharton Jr.
Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr. was the first Black person to lead a predominately white university. He became president of Michigan State University in 1970. He was a pathbreaker in higher education, philanthropy and the corporate world. In 1978, he became chancellor (president) of the 64-campus State University of New York system. Again, he was identified as the first African American to head the largest university system in the nation. Dr. Wharton was born in Boston and grew up on Highland Street. Clifton Wharton Jr. passed away at the age of 98 in New York November 16.   

Dominique Brown
Influencer Dominique Brown passed away at 34 reportedly from a severe allergic reaction. On December 5, Brown was at a BoxLunch event when she unknowingly ate food to which she was allergic.

Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni, the acclaimed poet, Virginia Tech professor and Black Arts Movement icon, passed away on December 9. She was 81.

May they all rest in peace and power.

Black icons, obituaries