All year long, we’ve been met with both celebration and grief as we’ve said goodbye to some of our favorite artists, innovators and cultural changemakers. Although their time with us was brief, we do not take the impact they have had and the difference they will make for generations to come for granted. Each person listed has made a unique impact on their career and community. Celebrities who have made an impact on Black culture deserve recognition for the role they’ve played, which is why we honor them. Each of their legacies lives on through those who knew them personally and professionally.
Continue reading to learn more about who we’ve lost thus far.
Carl Carlton, 72
R&B, soul and funk singer-songwriter Carl Carlton has made generations shimmy with his hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked).” Born in Detroit, Michigan, he began performing in the mid-1960s as a kid under the name “Little Carl Carlton,” with recordings like “So What” and “Don’t You Need a Boy Like Me.” His breakthrough came in 1974 when he did a cover of “Everlasting Love.”
Seven years later, in 1981, he graced us with “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” funking up the charts and giving us an anthem that still gets the party rolling. His music has been widely sampled, in songs like “It’s a Shame” by Big Daddy Kane, and Foxy Brown and Dru Hill’s “Big Bad Mama,” which sparked debate on the rightful credit of sampling. The singer continued to perform throughout the 2000s, appearing at events such as the Tom Joyner Sky Show in 2007 and Disco Fever 2018. Carlton passed away on December 14, at 72, following complications from a stroke he suffered years earlier.
Jimmy Cliff, 81
One of reggae’s most influential artists and architects, Jimmy Cliff brought Jamaican music to a global audience over his six decades in the industry. The singer-songwriter-activist, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, began recording music as a teenager in his home country. With one of his earliest hits, “Hurricane Hattie,” Cliff became part of the burgeoning reggae, ska and world music movement of the times.
He released his first major album, Hard Road to Travel, in 1967. But it was his star turn in the 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come that would make him a household name. Starring as Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, it tells the life-and-death story of a young man who left rural Jamaica to become a famous reggae singer in Kingston, only to learn that the industry doesn’t play fair. The Harder They Come featured Cliff on tracks like “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Sitting In Limbo,” and the film’s eponymous track.
Cliff would go on to deliver hits, including “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” “Vietnam,” “Wild World” and more. Along with numerous GRAMMY wins, including Best Reggae Recording for Cliff Hanger in 1986 and Best Reggae Album for Rebirth in 2013, Cliff was recognized for his humanitarian and peace efforts. He received the Order of Merit from Jamaica in 2003, one of the nation’s highest honors. Cliff died on November 24 due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.
D’Angelo, 51
Michael Eugene Archer, better known by his stage name D’Angelo, was a musical powerhouse. From being a forefather of Neo-Soul to his impact on songwriting and live performances, he leaves fans in awe of his captivating aura and passion for breathing life into songs. The Richmond, Virginia native got his start in music at 17, and his legacy continued to thrive after the release of his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995, which birthed hits “Lady,” “Cruisin’,” and “Brown Sugar.” The project achieved critical acclaim and commercial success, earning a GRAMMY nomination for Best R&B Album and receiving a platinum plaque.
D’Angelo’s legacy was stamped five years later with Voodoo, a sonic bed of soul that amplified the neo-soul era he spearheaded in the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside Questlove, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. D’Angelo had three children, including a son with fellow R&B singer Angie Stone, who was tragically killed in a car crash at the age of 63, March 2025.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, 52
Known for her scene-stealing TV roles and movie appearances, Kimberly Hébert Gregory started her acting career in the 1990s with the Chicago Theatre Company. A veteran of the stage, she earned a Drama Desk Award nomination in 2012 for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. The Houston, Texas native was a TV regular, appearing in several series throughout her career. She earned her scene-stealing title while playing principal Dr. Belinda Brown in the 2016 HBO series Vice Principals. She was also featured in Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Devious Maids, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Better Call Saul. She had voiced the role of Nicole in the animated series Craig of the Creek since 2017. Making her film debut in I Think I Love My Wife in 2007, she was also featured in Five Feet Apart and Miss Virginia. Gregory passed away on October 3 at age 52 in Los Angeles.
Assata Shakur, 78
Known most notably in the Black community as a revolutionary and political activist, Assata Shakur gained widespread recognition for her activism during her tenure as a member of the Black Liberation Army. Shakur, originally Joanne Deborah Byron, was born in Queens, New York, in 1947. In place of her college years, she joined the Black Panther Party in California. She began making an impact in social justice and advocacy across the organization, emerging as one of the most prominent female voices of that time.
During this time, she also helped launch the Black Panther Party’s free breakfast program in Harlem, which served hungry children in the area and provided thousands with meals. After escaping from prison in New Jersey after being charged with murder in 1973, Shakur fled for asylum in Cuba. Across four decades, Shakur continued to live her life and even released an autobiography in 1987. The book highlights her journey, decision-making throughout her life, and personal beliefs regarding the oppression of Black Americans.
Shakur passed away on September 25, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, as a result of pre-existing health conditions and old age, according to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vivian Ayers Allen (102)
A visionary poet, playwright, and cultural activist leaves a legacy of words, art, and educational endeavors that have inspired generations throughout our community. A graduate of the historic Brainerd Institute, her scholarly pursuits included classical Greek studies and Mayan astronomy at Rice University in Houston.
In 1966, she became the institution’s first Black faculty member. Her literary accomplishments include the 1952 publication of Spice of Dawns, a collection of poems nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In 1957, she published Hawk, which explored themes of freedom and space travel that coincided with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite launched into Earth’s orbit. In 1973, Ayers founded Workshops in Open Fields, an arts education program. She also founded ADEPT New American Museum in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1984 to celebrate the work of Black and Indigenous artists.
Allen received honors, awards and accolades from the National Council of Negro Women, Jack and Jill of America, Winthrop University and more. Her poetry was sampled by Solange on her 2019 album When I Get Home and performed on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam in 2006. In her most cherished role, she was mother to jazz musician Andrew “Tex” Allen and son Hugh Allen. She is also the mother of the dynamic sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, who are both award-winning actresses, producers, directors and philanthropists. “Ma Turk,” as she was affectionately known, died on August 18, 2025.
Danielle Spencer, 60
She played Deadra “Dee” Thomas, Raj’s wise-beyond-her-years little sister on What’s Happening, who always had a snappy comeback. Spencer starred in the role beginning in 1976 when she was just 11 years old, and made the catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” one to remember through the show’s end in 1979. She returned to the screen in 1985 to star in the series sequel, What’s Happening Now!, which lasted for three seasons. Spencer then pivoted her career, becoming a veterinarian and appearing on a regular morning segment about pet care for CBS affiliate WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia. She spoke about her life on screen and her new professional ventures with EBONY’s sister publication JET in 2014, the year she was inducted into the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Diagnosed with breast cancer that same year, she underwent a double mastectomy and again in 2018. Spencer passed August 11, 2025, due to cancer complications, in Richmond, Virginia.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54
Known all around the world as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Warner brought joy and laughter to the screens in the sitcom from 1984 to 1992. His career spans from shows like Malcolm & Eddie to Fox’s The Resident. Throughout his career, he touched several avenues, including directing several episodes of the iconic show, music videos, such as New Edition’s “N.E. Heart Break” and Special Ed’s “I’m the Magnificent,” as well as episodes of All That and Kenan and Kel. Outside of film and TV, he also did spoken word and snagged a GRAMMY win for Best Traditional R&B Performance and authored Theo and Me: Growing Up Okay. His latest venture was a podcast, Not All Hood, that he launched, where he discussed breaking down barriers to mental health in the Black community. Warner was announced dead on July 21, 2025. He is survived by a wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private.
Walter Scott, 81
Walter Scott, along with his twin brother, Wallace, joined forces with fellow LA-based buddies Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon—then known as the Eden Trio—to form the hit group, The Whispers in the 1960s. Best known for their Billboard No. 1 R&B 1 hits such as “Rock Steady” and “And the Beat Goes On,” the group performed for over 50 years, bringing their signature soft sound to the R&B scene. The Whispers scored their first Top Ten R&B hit with “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong” in 1970. They went on to record memorable slow jam ballads, such as “Lady” and “Olivia (Lost and Turned Out),” along with dance cuts like “It’s A Love Thing” and “And the Beat Goes On.” The Scott siblings released a duo album, My Brother’s Keeper, in 2006. In 2009, they had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and record a gospel album, “Thankful,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. With five R.I.A.A. certified gold albums, two platinum albums and a gold record, along with an NAACP Image Award, the Recording Academy’s San Francisco Chapter GRAMMY® Governor’s Award, induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, The Whispers made a booming impact on the music scene. Scott passed away on June 26, 2025, after battling stage 4 stomach cancer.
Ananda Lewis, 52
Image: Getty Images.
In 1997, Ananda Lewis hit the scene as MTV’s video jockey for Hot Zone and Total Request Live. These opportunities led to her hosting The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, where she showcased her journalistic talent by discussing topics related to social issues, health concerns, and celebrity news. Starting her career as a journalist helped pave the way for other culture and music journalists who have followed in her footsteps. She was also vocal about her journey with breast cancer on social media in 2020. This message of resilience persisted across numerous media outlets, inspiring women to embody it and reminding them that they are not alone in their fight. After a long battle with breast cancer, she passed away on June 11, 2025, leaving behind a media-driven legacy and impact of being transparent about who you are in front of and behind the camera.
Sly Stone, 82
Image: Michael Putland/Hulton Archive / Getty Images via CNN Newsource.
Texas native Sylvester Stewart, professionally known as Sly Stone, emerged in the music industry in the 1960s after teaming up with his siblings to form the music group, initially known as “the family” at the time. They quickly formed the group under the new name Sly and the Family Stone. The group’s music tapped various genres simultaneously, including funk, rock and soul, while addressing topics tied to the social and cultural shifts of the time. It also made history as one of the first multi-gendered groups of its time. With hits like “Family Affair” and “I Want To Take You Higher,” the group helped to blaze the trail in Black musical representation for generations to come, paving the way for artists to make music that was outside of what was predicted or expected. Stone’s legacy was memorialized in a documentary led by Questlove in early 2025, capturing the true essence of his career impact and mindset towards music. After a long battle with COPD, Stone passed away on June 9, 2025.
Wayne Lewis, 68
Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images.
As lead singer and founding member of R&B group Atlantic Starr, Wayne Lewis made headlines in 1976 after the group released their self-titled debut album in 1978. The group was most notably known for their songs “Always” and “Circles”. Both songs landed the group placements on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Lewis remained active with his fellow group members well into recent years, with the release of another album, “Metamorphosis,” in 2017, which featured 15 songs. Lewis passed away on June 5, 2025, and no specific cause of death was disclosed.
Norman Hutchins, 62
Image: 2008, “Just In Time” cover.
Gospel trailblazer Dr. Norman Hutchins began his music career in the early 1990s, creating music that helped propel the Christian music industry forward. Most known for his songs “God’s Got A Blessing (With My Name On It)” and “Jesus I Love You,” Hutchins was a Grammy, Stellar Award and Dove Award nominee across various categories. His work also charted on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums list at place 27 for 11 weeks in 2002. Hutchins passed away on June 5, 2025, after a long battle with diabetes and kidney failure.
Sacha Jenkins, 53
Image: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
Filmmaker and producer Sacha Jenkins is most notably known for his work in the documentary space, including projects like Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James and All Up in the Biz, dedicated to the late Biz Markie. From an editorial perspective, he founded the magazines Graphic Scenes and Xplicit Language in the 1980s, making them one of the first graffiti publications. He also co-founded Beat Down, a newspaper dedicated to hip-hop culture. Before his passing, EBONY had the opportunity to sit down with Jenkins to discuss the launch of his photo exhibit at the time, Fotografiska’s “Hip-Hop: Conscious, Unconscious,” which captured the essence of hip-hop culture across generations. Jenkins passed away on May 23, 2025, due to complications with multiple system atrophy.
John Edwards, 80
As the lead singer of the soul music group The Spinners, John Edwards made history alongside his group members with songs like “Working My Way Back To You” and “Cupid” from the 1950s through the 1970s. Before his time in The Spinners, he launched his music career solo while still serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. In 2023, Edwards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his fellow group members of The Spinners, recognized for their significant impact on music in cities such as Detroit and Philadelphia. The famous music group New Edition even performed a tribute to The Spinners during their induction. Edwards passed away on May 11, 2025, due to health complications tied to a stroke he experienced years prior.
George Foreman, 76
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Known for his legendary skills as a boxer, George Foreman got his professional start as a teenager in the boxing ring in the late 1960s. At just 24 years old, he became the heavyweight champion of the world after defeating fellow boxer Joe Frazier. Years later, he regained the title after winning a match against Michael Moorer in 1994, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history. As an ode to his life, the film Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World was created, allowing fans to see the intricacies of his career and personal life. Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, but his cause of death was not disclosed.
D’Wayne Wiggins, 64
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Part of the dynamic R&B and soul trio Tony! Toni! Tone!, D’Wayne Wiggins was a singer, guitarist and producer. Across the span of his career in the music industry, he won the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band in 1991, and two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals in 1993 and 2004 alongside his fellow group members. Wiggins also made it a point to support emerging musical talent through mentorship, launching Mindseed Studios, a music and production facility. The legendary group celebrated 25 years in the industry with an anniversary tour in 2023, during which fans were able to reminisce about their favorite songs. Wiggins passed away on March 7, 2025, after a battle with bladder cancer, leaving behind a musical legacy.
Roy Ayers, 84
Image: Photo by David Redfern/Redferns via Getty Images.
After the release of Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves The Sunshine,” music took a shift in a fresh direction. The song’s release led Ayers to embark on a journey to continue his music career, incorporating elements of R&B and funk throughout these songs and introducing a new sound to the industry. In honor of his contributions and trailblazing music, he received two lifetime achievement awards: one from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 2011 and another from SoulTracks in 2015. His musical genius, particularly in genre blending and collaborating with younger artists, such as Erykah Badu and Tyler, the Creator, is what helped to personify his impact beyond just making music. Ayers passed away on March 4, 2025, as a result of a long-term illness that was not disclosed.
Angie Stone, 63
Image: Ethan Miller/WireImage / Pitchfork.
Soulful songstress and songwriter Angie Stone has dedicated the past few decades of her career to bringing R&B and Neo-Soul hits to the industry. Collaborating with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz, and D’Angelo, Stone built a career, earning multiple Soul Train Awards, multiple Grammy nominations and the Black Music Honors’ Soul Music Icon Award along the way. She also helped provide representation for darker-skinned female artists in the industry, not only showcasing her talent but also affirming the belief that others can be successful and rise on the music charts, too, regardless of their physical appearance. Stone poured herself into her artistry and the artistry of others through her work in production and A&R. Outside of music, she also guest-starred on TV One’s R&B Divas, where she acted as a guiding light to the cast of music artists. Stone passed away on March 1, 2025, in a fatal car crash.
Roberta Flack, 88
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Known as a trailblazer for soul music, Roberta Flack emerged in the music industry in the late 1960s after signing to Atlantic Records. With hit songs like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” the music industry began to open its eyes to what soulful music could truly sound like. Her music has also been sampled by other renowned music artists such as The Fugees, Scarface and Gang Starr. In an interview with EBONY, Flack spoke about her own experience of paying homage to the Beatles in her rendition of their classic “Let It Be.” In her later years, Flack was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which stopped her ability to sing. Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, as a result of cardiac arrest.
Voletta Wallace, 78
Image: WireImage.
Behind every great man is an even greater woman, and Voletta Wallace was that for Brooklyn’s very own Notorious B.I.G. After her son’s passing in 1997, Wallace upheld her son’s legacy by launching the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation and producing his infamous biopic, Notorious, in 2009. Leading a private life, she remained the head of her son‘s estate until her passing, during which she was able to multiply the initial inheritance amount from $10 million to $160 million through music royalties, business ventures, licensing deals and strategic estate planning. Voletta Wallace passed away on February 21, 2025, due to natural causes.
Gwen McCrae, 81
Known as the “Queen of Rare Groove,” Gwen McCrae rose to stardom after her 1970s hits “Rockin’ Chair” and “Funky Sensation.” Her music helped to push the popularity of disco music while providing representation for Black female artists in the UK. Her performances outside of the US gained her an international following. In 2008, her song “Keep the Fire Burning” was featured in the film Clubbed. She passed away on February 21, 2025, as a result of post-stroke complications from 2012, which left her paralyzed on one side of her body.
Irv Gotti, 54
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At the helm of the renowned record label, Murda Inc., you could find rapper and producer Irv Gotti. Gotti began his career in the industry as a DJ in New York and eventually became A&R at Def Jam Records before transitioning to artist development for his record label alongside his brother, Chris Gotti. These artists included names like Ashanti, Ja Rule, Black Child, and Charli Baltimore, to name a few. In an interview with EBONY, he revealed that he always had a desire to do more in the television and film space, which led to the creation of the docuseries, “The Murder Inc Story.” Irv Gotti passed away on February 5, 2025, due to having a second stroke after experiencing one six months prior as a result of his battle with diabetes.