The year 2024 has indeed been a time of both progress and reflection for the African American community. Throughout history, African Americans have made significant contributions to various aspects of American life, from the arts and entertainment to politics and social justice.
When influential figures pass away, their legacies continue to inspire and shape future generations. These individuals, whether they were performers on Broadway stages or lawmakers in the halls of Congress, have left lasting impacts on American culture and society.
It’s important to remember and honor those who have transitioned, recognizing their achievements and the paths they paved for others. Their work and dedication have often led to positive changes and advancements for the African American community and society as a whole.
Richard Parsons transitioned December 26 at the age of 76 at his Manhattan home. He was one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup. He returned Citigroup to profitability after turmoil from the global financial crisis and helped restore Time Warner after its much-maligned acquisition by internet provider America Online. David Zaslav, the CEO of Time Warner successor Warner Bros. Discovery, hailed Parsons as a “great mentor and friend” and a “tough and brilliant negotiator, always looking to create something where both sides win.”
Art Evans transitioned on December 21. He was 82. During his 40-plus-year career as an actor, Evans appeared in several films, most notably “A Soldier’s Story” and “Die Hard 2.”
Rickey Henderson transitioned on December 20. He was 65 and battling pneumonia. The MLB Hall of Famer, the speedy outfielder, is considered one of the greatest players of all time as he holds the record for career runs scored, career stolen bases, and stolen bases in a season. He was a 10-time All-Star and an AL MVP. While he is most known for the time he spent with the Oakland A’s, Henderson also played for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alfa Anderson transitioned on December 17. She was 78. The lead singer for the 70s disco band Chic, Anderson contributed to several hit songs including “Dance, Dance, Dance,” “I Want Your Love,” “Good Times,” and “Le Freak.”
Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr. transitioned on December 9. Considered one of the most impactful literary voices in American history, she authored 25 books and told her story and countless others through poetry and prose.
Dominique Brown transitioned on December 5. She was 34. The co-founder of Black Girl Disney, the Disney influencer Dominique “Domo” Brown passed away after experiencing a medical emergency at an event in Los Angeles hosted by pop culture merchandise retailer BoxLunch.
Saafir transitioned on November 19. He was 54 years old. The beloved Oakland rapper was born Reggie Gibson. He released six studio albums and appeared in the film “Menace II Society.”
Judith Jamison transitioned on November 9. She was 81. The legendary dancer, teacher, and artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1999 to 2011, is attributed as the person behind the theater’s successes in the 21st century and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999.
Tony Todd transitioned on November 6. He was 69. A film, television, and Broadway actor with more than a hundred credits across nearly four decades, his six-foot-five stature and baritone voice saw him consistently cast in intimidating roles, including playing the title role in 1992’s “Candyman” and the film’s three sequels.
Tyka Nelson—sister to the late music icon Prince—transitioned on November 5. She was 64. Nelson released four albums between 1988 and 2011.
Quincy Jones transitioned on November 3. He was 91. The legendary musician worked with a myriad of performers including Count Basie, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. One of his most prolific contributions to music included producing Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller.”
David Harris transitioned on October 25. He was 75. The actor appeared in several TV shows and films, and he was most known for his role in the 1979 film “The Warriors” where he played the character of Cochise.
DJ Clark Kent transitioned on October 24. He was 57. The legendary hip-hop producer and sneaker enthusiast, born Rodolfo Franklin, produced several hits for some of hip-hop and R&B’s best, including Junior Mafia, Notorious B.I.G., Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Rakim, and many more.
Thelma Mothershed Wair transitioned on October 19. She was 83. As one of the students in the Little Rock Nine, in 1957 she and eight other kids were the first African American students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, despite the governor’s attempt to use the National Guard to block the students from enrolling.
Ka transitioned on October 12. He was 52. A respected underground New York rapper, born Kaseem Ryan, Ka was also an FDNY fire captain who was a first responder during the 9-11 attacks. His last album, “The Thief Next to Jesus,” was released in August.
Wanda Smith transitioned on October 13. She was 58. One of the most popular voices in Atlanta’s radio scene, she was a fixture on V-103, co-hosting “Frank and Wanda in the Morning” with Frank Ski for 14 years until 2012. The comedian also appeared in several of Tyler Perry’s “Madea” films and has writing credits with “Def Comedy Jam.”
Cissy Houston transitioned on October 7. She was 91. The two-time Grammy-winning gospel singer was the mother of the late Whitney Houston. Her successful musical career included being a member of the Sweet Inspirations and singing backup for several soul singers including Dionne Warwick, Otis Redding, and Lou Rawls.
John Amos transitioned on August 21, but the news was shared on October 1. He was 84. An actor, his credits include “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Roots,” and “The West Wing,” but he is best known for his role in “Good Times.”
Ken Page transitioned on September 30. He was 70. A veteran actor, his credits include many Broadway productions, including “The Wizard of Oz,” “Les Misérables”,” Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Guys and Dolls,” and many others. Some of his movie credits include “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” and “Dreamgirls.”
Dikembe Mutombo transitioned on September 30. He was 58. The NBA Hall of Famer is considered one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. During his 18-year NBA career, he played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and the Houston Rockets.
Cat Glover transitioned on September 24. She was 62. The dancer and choreographer gained prominence for her work with Prince as a dancer during his live performances and music videos.
Mercury Morris transitioned on September 21. He was 77. The former NFL running back played in the league for eight seasons. He was known for his time with the Miami Dolphins, where he won two Super Bowls and was a part of the 1972 team that went undefeated and won the big game.
Tito Jackson transitioned on September 15. He was 70. The singer and guitarist, born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, was one of the original members of the Jackson 5 with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. In the early 2000s, he pursued a solo career as a jazz musician.
Frankie Beverly transitioned on September 10. He was 77. The singer and songwriter founded the 70s funk band Maze. He helped create several beloved songs, including “Before I Let Go,” “Happy Feelin’s,” and “While I’m Alone.”
James Earl Jones transitioned on September 9. He was 93. The legendary actor’s work was seen in Field of Dreams, Cry, the Beloved Country, Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, and its recent sequel. He is famous for his voiceover work in the Star Wars universe as Darth Vader and The Lion King’s Mufasa.
Rich Homie Quan transitioned on September 5. He was 34. The rapper, born Dequantes Lamar, was a well-known Atlanta rapper who had several hits that fans loved, including “Type of Way.”
Fatman Scoop transitioned on August 30. He was 50. The hip-hop legend, born Isaac Freeman III, was a well-known radio personality and hype man. He was featured on several popular records, including Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That,” Missy Elliot’s “Lose Control,” and Timbaland’s “Drop.”
Wally Amos transitioned on August 31. He was 88. The founder of Famous Amos cookies, he also founded the Cookie Kahuna and Aunt Della’s Cookies. The business owner was also a television personality who hosted the adult reading program Learn to Read.
Gail Lumet Buckley transitioned on July 18. She was 86. The daughter of Lena Horne, she was an author and journalist who documented African American life. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Vogue.
Chino XL transitioned on July 28. He was 50. The Afro-Puerto Rican rapper, born Derek Keith Barbosa, was an MC who released four studio albums in his career, including Here to Save You All, I Told You So, Poison Pen, and Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary.
Erica Ash transitioned on July 29. She was 46. The actress/producer’s credits include “Scary Movie V,” “Survivors’Remorse,” and “We Have a Ghost.”
DJ Polo transitioned on July 27. He was 63. Born Thomas Pough, he was a popular MC in the 1980s as part of the hip-hop collective Juice Crew. He was also one half of the duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo.
Duke Fakir transitioned on July 22. He was 88. The Motown singer, born Abdul Kareem Fakir, was known as the founding member of the legendary quartet the Four Tops. He was the group’s last surviving member.
Sheila Jackson Lee transitioned on July 19. She was 74. A veteran Democratic congresswoman from Texas, she was not shy about advocating for African American people. Before serving as a representative, Lee was a municipal judge and a city councilwoman in Houston.
Joe Bryant transitioned on July 16. He was 69. The former NBA player was the father of Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Drafted in the 1975 NBA Draft, Bryant played in the league for eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and the Houston Rockets.
Jacoby Jones transitioned on July 14. He was 40. The former NFL wide receiver played for four teams in his career and was known for his time with the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped lead them to a Super Bowl championship in 2013.
Khyree Jackson transitioned on July 6. He was 24. The victim of a car crash along with two of his former high school friends, he was drafted in April in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Renauld White transitioned on July 26. He was 80. The actor and model was most known as a two-year regular on the soap opera “The Guiding Light.”
Bill Cobbs transitioned on June 25. He was 90. The actor spent 50 years gracing film and TV fans with unforgettable performances. He is best known for his work in “The Bodyguard,” “Ghosts of Mississippi,” “That Thing You Do,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “Air Bud.”
Rev. Fred D. Taylor passed away on June 22. He was 84. Known for his activism throughout the city of Atlanta, he was also involved with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) for over 40 years and was mentored by Ralph David Abernathy.
Willie Mays transitioned on June 18. He was 93. Considered one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, he started his career in the Negro Leagues, then moved on to Major League Baseball and fundamentally changed the game with his energetic style, inspiring generations of players still trying to imitate his signature moves.
Angela Bofill transitioned on June 13. She was 70. The singer is best known for songs like “I’m On Your Side,” “I Try,” “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” and “Angel of the Night.”
Enchanting transitioned on June 11. She was 26. Born Channing Nicole Larry, the rapper was signed with Gucci Mane’s imprint 1017 Records in 2020 and left after releasing her 2022 album, No Luv.
Rev. James Lawson Jr. transitioned on June 9. He was 95. The Civil Rights leader worked as a labor activist, professor, and pastor. He was also a close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
Chet Walker transitioned on June 8. He was 84. The NBA Hall of Famer, nicknamed “The Jet,” was a seven-time All-Star who helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in 1967. During his 13-year career, he played with the Sixers and the Chicago Bulls.
Brother Marquis transitioned on June 3. He was 58. The rapper, born Mark Ross, was a member of 2 Live Crew, one of hip-hop’s most influential groups. He played an important role in allowing MCs to express their right to free speech. After the release of their third album, “As Nasty As They Wanna Be,” the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that the album was legally obscene, but the appeals court later overturned the ruling, saying that the album had artistic value.
Larry Allen transitioned on June 3. He was 53. The NFL Hall of Famer was one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and was a first-team All-Pro six times. He was a Cowboys legend who played in Dallas for 12 seasons. His final two seasons in the NFL were spent with the San Francisco 49ers.
Marian Lois Shields Robinson transitioned on May 31. She was 86. The mother of former first lady Michelle Obama, she was known for her wise advice. In a statement, the Obama family wrote, “Marian Lois Shields Robinson — our mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother — had a way of summing up the truths about life in a word or two, maybe a quick phrase that made everyone around her stop and think. Her wisdom came off as almost innate, as something she was born with, but in reality, it was hard-earned, fashioned by her deep understanding that the world’s roughest edges could always be sanded down with a little grace.”
Drew Gordon transitioned on May 30 in a crash while driving a three-wheeled vehicle in Portland. He was 33. The brother of Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon, he was a McDonald’s All-American in high school and played college basketball at UCLA and the University of New Mexico. Gordon only played in the NBA for one year during the 2014-2015 season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Reverend William A. Lawson transitioned on May 14. He was 95. He was the founder of Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and a civil rights leader who started one of the city’s largest congregations after moving to Houston from Kansas City. He also hosted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his church during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement.
Jimmy Johnson transitioned on May 8. He was 86. The Hall of Fame cornerback played in the NFL for 16 seasons, spending every one of them with the San Francisco 49ers. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times and was a first-team All-Pro three times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Dallas Penn transitioned on May 1. He was 54. The beloved hip-hop head, journalist, and internet personality was a force in the online hip-hop world, eventually working with Combat Jack on the extremely influential The Combat Jack Show.
Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. transitioned on April 24. He was 65. He was the son of Donald Payne Sr., who was the first African American to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Chris King transitioned on April 20. He was 31. Born Christopher Cheeks, the rapper had connections with Justin Bieber and Machine Gun Kelly.
Mandisa transitioned on April 18. She was 47. The Grammy-winning Christian singer got her start on American Idol.
Rico Wade transitioned on April 13. He was 52. The hip-hop producer was part of the legendary production trio Organized Noise, which created music with Atlanta rap royalty such as Outkast and Goodie Mob.
O.J. Simpson transitioned on April 10. He was 76. The former NFL star infamously went on trial for the double-murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in the 1990s. He was ultimately acquitted in 1995. After retiring from football, he was an announcer, sportscaster, and pop culture mainstay.
William Strickland transitioned on April 10. He was 87. The civil rights activist was close friends with Malcolm X and was a consultant for the iconic docuseries Eyes on the Prize. He also taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for more than 40 years as a professor in the African American studies department.
DJ Mister Cee transitioned on April 10. He was 57. Born Calvin LeBrun, he served as the DJ for Big Daddy Kane, and his production work with the Notorious B.I.G. helped the late rapper find fame. Mister Cee’s Throwback at Noon show on Hot97 is still regarded as one of the most important hip-hop programs of all time. Recently, he was on Audacy’s 94.7 The Block.
Vontae Davis transitioned on April 1. He was 35. The former NFL player was a longtime cornerback who played in the league for nine years on three teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and the Buffalo Bills. He was named to two Pro Bowls.
Casey Benjamin transitioned on March 31. He was 46. An accomplished saxophonist and keyboardist, he was also a producer and songwriter and a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment. He won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his work on the 2012 record Black Radio.
Chance Perdomo transitioned on March 29 after being involved in a motorcycle accident. He was 27. The talented actor was starting to make a name for himself in the industry after his impressive role on the 2023 TV show “Gen V.”
Louis Gossett Jr. transitioned on March 28. He was 87. The legendary actor was known for becoming the first African American man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. During his career, he also starred in many shows and movies, including Roots, Watchmen, and The Color Purple.
Sandra Crouch transitioned on March 17. She was 81. The Grammy-winning gospel artist was the sister of the legendary gospel singer Andraé Crouch. In 1984, she won the Grammy for Best Female Soul Gospel Performance for her album “We Sing Praises.”
Jessica Pettway transitioned on March 11. She was 36. A beloved beauty influencer, she had over 153,000 Instagram followers and 229,000 YouTube subscribers.
Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker transitioned on March 12. He was 60. The singer was a longtime member of the 1970s funk group The Gap Band. Recently, he had performed with the group Gapx, a funk group that included other former Gap Band members.
Bo$$ transitioned on March 11. She was 54. Born Lichelle Marie Laws, she was one of the first women to sign to Def Jam as a rapper. In her career, she released one studio album, 1993’s Born Gangsta.
Dorie Ladner transitioned on March 11. She was 81. The civil rights leader was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the Civil Rights Movement and was a prominent part of many of the most notable marches during the 1960s.
Naomi Ruth Barber King transitioned on March 7. She was 92. King was the sister-in-law of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an accomplished civil rights activist in her own right. In 2008, she founded the A.D. King Foundation, named after her late husband.
Janice Burgess transitioned on March 4. She was 72. A TV executive and screenwriter, she is best known for creating the popular Nickelodeon television show The Backyardigans.
Michael Jones transitioned on February 28. He was 61. A professional wrestler in the WWF (currently the WWE) who went by the stage name Virgil, Jones was best known for portraying Ted DiBiase’s bodyguard. In the mid-90s, he joined the WCW and became part of the New World Order with DiBiase.
Robert Reid transitioned on February 19. He was 68. The 13-year NBA veteran played for the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers. He spent 10 of those seasons with the Rockets and was drafted in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft.
Hydeia Broadbent transitioned on February 20. She was 39. The HIV/AIDS activist was one of the initial children to receive treatment for HIV/AIDS. After living with the disease for more than 30 years, she raised awareness about the virus and advocated for helping people living with it.
Bing Worthington transitioned on February 14. He was 44. The younger brother of Snoop Dogg, he was a music executive who often worked with his older brother, serving as his tour manager and later working for Dogg Records.
Dylan Kain transitioned on February 7. He was 81. Also known as Kain the Poet, the spoken-word artist founded The Last Poets, a musical group that emerged in the 1960s. His music helped lay the foundation for hip-hop, with legends like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg sampling his vocals.
Henry Fambrough transitioned on February 6. He was 85. He was the last surviving member of The Spinners, an R&B group that began recording music in 1954. In November 2023, he witnessed the legendary group being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Richard Caster transitioned on February 1. He was 75. The NFL player had a 13-season career, playing for teams including the New York Jets, Houston Oilers, and Washington Redskins. He was a wide receiver and was named to the Pro Bowl three times.
Eddie Cheeba transitioned on February 13. He was 67. A DJ, Cheeba was considered one of the founding fathers of hip-hop. Born Edward Sturgis, he was part of a DJ trio that included Lovebug Starski and DJ Hollywood.
Kelvin Kiptum transitioned on February 11. He was 24. The accomplished runner and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident in Kenya. Kiptum was the world record holder in the marathon, running a time of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Earl Cureton transitioned on February 4. He was 66. A Detroit legend, he was born in the Motor City, attended Detroit Mercy University, and played for the Detroit Pistons. He served as a community ambassador for the Pistons. During his NBA career, he also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors.
Carl Weathers transitioned on February 1. He was 76. The actor is remembered for playing Apollo Creed in Rocky, Chubbs in Happy Gilmore, and Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. His work was recognized worldwide.
Hinton Battle transitioned on January 30. He was 67. Best known as the originator of the Scarecrow character in the Broadway adaptation of “The Wiz,” he went on to win three Tony Awards, all for Best Featured Actor in a Musical “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981), “The Tap Dance Kid” (1984), and “Miss Saigon” (1991). His Broadway credits include popular shows like “Dancin,’” “Dreamgirls,” “Chicago,” and “Ragtime.”
Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez transitioned on January 21. She was 34. The judo champion and 2016 Olympian was a two-time Pan American Games Champion, winning gold in 2013 and 2014.
Dexter Scott King transitioned on January 22. He was 62. The youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dexter followed in his father’s footsteps as a civil rights activist. He also served as chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
Marlena Shaw transitioned on January 19. She was 81. A mainstay in jazz, R&B, and soul, she was known for songs like California Soul and Woman of the Ghetto.
Reggie Wells transitioned on January 8. He was 76. A well-known and accomplished makeup artist, he worked with Michelle Obama, Oprah, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, and other notable African American figures.
Jerry Wade transitioned in January. He was 61. Known as “The Loverman,” he was a respected disc jockey in Indianapolis who gained a loyal following in the Midwest over his 40-year career.
Josephine Wright transitioned in January. She was 94. Wright was an elderly African American woman who was involved in a land dispute with a major investment group over property her family had owned since the Civil War.
Ronald Powell transitioned in January. He was 32. The former NFL player spent four years in the league, primarily on practice teams, with stints on the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, and Seattle Seahawks.
