Pictured (first row, l to r): Rapper Lola Chantrelle ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell, 43, died of an accidental overdose on Jan. 1; De La Soul rapper David Jude Jolicoeur (a.k.a., 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.
Pictured (second row, l to 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 Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, 71, died on Aug. 1; ‘Cha Cha Slide’ creator, D.J. Casper, 58, died of cancer on Aug. 7; the ‘Godfather of Black Music,’ Clarence Avant, 92, died on Aug. 13.
Pictured (third row, l to 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 a heart attack on Oct. 11.
Pictured (fourth row, l to 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.
Pictured (fifth row, l to 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 and musician, Joseph Anthony ‘Amp’ Fiddler, 65, died of cancer on Dec. 17.
