Obituaries

Kiki Shepard, Beloved Host of ‘Showtime at the Apollo,’ Dies at 74 Kiki Shepard, the iconic co-host of the long-running variety show Showtime at the Apollo, passed away on Monday at the age of 74. Her family confirmed that she died of a heart attack. A Legacy on the Apollo Stage From 1987 to 2002, Shepard […]

Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder Dies in Single-Car Crash at 23 The Colorado football community is mourning the tragic loss of quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash. According to the Colorado State Patrol, Ponder, just 23 years old, was driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 when he lost control on […]

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day, death is an inevitable part of life—a universal truth that spares no one. Yet, despite its certainty, the weight of loss never becomes easier to bear, nor does the act of processing its impact. For those within Black culture, where community and shared experiences […]

Elder Lawrence Blake, who served on the pastoral staff of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, died last week at 54.

Demond Wilson, the actor who brought Lamont Sanford to life on the iconic 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79. Wilson passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at his home in Palm Springs, California, due to complications from cancer, as confirmed by his son, Demond Wilson Jr. Wilson’s portrayal of […]

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

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

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

Black Liberation Party member Assata Shakur, born JoAnne Deborah Byron, has died at the age of 78, according to family members.

Notable People Who Have Passed Away in 2025 UPDATED: April 14th 2025 4:00PM Death is an inevitable part of life, a profound reminder of our shared fragility. The losses of 2025 have been especially heavy, as we’ve said goodbye to remarkable individuals who touched countless lives through their talents and achievements. From trailblazers in art, […]

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

ATL rapper Young Scooter has died as he reportedly fled Atlanta Police in Southeast Atlanta on Mar. 28, his 39th birthday.