By Aria Brent AFRO Employees Author abrent@afro.com
In 2024, the world bid farewell to a number of outstanding figures whose contributions left an indelible mark on historical past, tradition, and progress of the Black neighborhood. From trailblazers in politics and social justice to icons on the planet of artwork and athletics, these people shattered boundaries, impressed generations and redefined excellence. The AFRO honors their lives, celebrating the legacies and influence they proceed to have on communities worldwide.
Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia Bailey
Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia Bailey was a nicely revered educator, activist and chief identified for her unwavering dedication to social justice and schooling. All through her life, she devoted herself to empowering marginalized communities and advocating for instructional fairness. She served because the vp of scholar affairs at Lincoln College the place she confronted hardships and poisonous behaviors that sadly impacted her psychological well being. On Jan.8 she died through suicide on the age of 49.
James “JD” Howard Sr.,
James Dennis Howard was a proficient photographer whose work usually lined occasions, locations, folks and establishments in Black communities on the native degree and throughout the globe. Howard was a Marine veteran and served within the Vietnam warfare. Throughout his time at warfare, he took up images which began his ardour for the visible artwork. For years he served the Baltimore neighborhood by his images and his work has been featured in publications corresponding to Jet and Ebony journal. He died on Jan.29 on the age of 82 from dementia problems.
O.J. Simspon
Orenthal James “O.J”. Simpson was a famend NFL working again, actor, and broadcaster. He gained notoriety throughout his time with the Buffalo Payments within the Seventies, turning into the primary participant to hurry over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season. Simpson finally transitioned into appearing, being featured in movies like “The Bare Gun.” He would later face controversy like his 1995 acquittal within the murders of ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, together with a 2007 conviction for armed theft. Simpson died on April 10, 2024 at 76, from metastatic prostate most cancers.
John Amos
John Amos, celebrated for iconic roles in “Good Occasions” and “Roots”, died from congestive coronary heart failure on Aug. 21, 2024, on the age of 84. All through his profession, he championed correct portrayals of African American life and tradition, usually advocating for larger depth within the roles he took on. His trailblazing profession and advocacy for significant storytelling will proceed to outline his legacy.
Fatman Scoop
Isaac Freeman III, higher often called Fatman Scoop was a famend hip-hop artist finest identified for his 2003 hit “Be Devoted” and collaborations with artists like Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, and Timbaland. His highly effective voice and stage presence made him a standout determine within the music business. On August 30, 2024, he tragically collapsed on stage throughout a efficiency in Connecticut and died at 56. His loss of life was attributed to pure causes associated to coronary heart illness. Freeman’s legacy continues by his impactful contributions to music.
Wealthy Homie Quan
Dequantes “Wealthy Homie Quan” Lamar, was an Atlanta rapper identified for his hits like “Kind of Method” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh).” The Atlanta native first rose to fame within the 2010s the place he turned a outstanding determine within the entice music scene, collaborating with artists like Younger Thug and Birdman. His debut album, “Wealthy as in Spirit” solidified his place in hip-hop. Tragically, the beloved rapper died on Sept. 5 of this yr from an unintentional drug overdose on the age of 33.
James Earl James
Performing legend, James Earl Jones was finest identified for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence. Over his decades-long profession, Jones introduced iconic characters to life, together with the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King. His legacy additionally features a distinguished stage profession, incomes Tony Awards for “The Nice White Hope” and “Fences”, and quite a few movie and tv performances. He died on Sept.9, 2024 on the age of 93.
Frankie Beverly
Frankie Beverly, the legendary soul singer and founding father of Maze, died Sept. 10, 2024 at 77. Recognized for iconic hits like “Earlier than I Let Go,” Beverly’s music turned a cornerstone of soul and R&B. His profession started within the Nineteen Sixties with the group The Blenders earlier than he shaped Maze within the early Seventies, attaining widespread success with chart-topping albums and enduring anthems. His farewell tour concluded earlier this yr in Philadelphia, closing out a outstanding 50 yr journey in music.
Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5, died on Sept. 15, 2024, at age 70 because of a coronary heart assault. He was identified for his proficient guitar abilities and contributions to hits like “I Need You Again.” Jackson later pursued a solo profession in blues, releasing his debut album “Tito Time” in 2016. His legacy as a musician and performer spans a long time and is without end remembered by his music
Dikembe Mutumbo
Dikembe Mutombo was an NBA legend and four-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months that was usually acknowledged for his large 7ft 2in stature. He was a local of the Democratic Republic of Congo that began his 18 yr NBA profession in 1991 with the Denver Nuggets. Following his retirement in 2009, Mutumbo served because the NBA’s international ambassador the place he promoted the game worldwide. The basketball icon sadly died on Sept. 30, 2024, at 58 after battling mind most cancers. Recognized for his dominant protection and humanitarian work, Mutombo’s legacy extends past basketball, leaving a long-lasting influence on and off the court docket.
Ken Web page
Ken Web page was an American actor and singer, famend for his wealthy baritone voice and dynamic stage presence. A local of St. Louis, he started his profession in native theater earlier than making a big influence on Broadway. Web page’s most notable roles included Outdated Deuteronomy within the authentic Broadway manufacturing of Cats and the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz. He additionally gained widespread recognition because the voice of Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas. He died in his sleep on Sept. 30, 2024, on the age of 70 at his dwelling in St. Louis.
Cissy Houston
Grammy-winning gospel singer and mom of Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston died on Oct. 7, 2024, at age 91. She was identified for her work with The Candy Inspirations and as a solo artist. She is a two-time Grammy award successful artist and sang with fellow musicians corresponding to Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.Houston’s affect on gospel and soul music stays profound.
Wanda Smith
Wanda Smith, a celebrated Atlanta radio host and comic,died on the age of 58 on Oct.12, 2024. She was identified for her prolonged profession at V-103’s “Frank and Wanda within the Morning.” Smith introduced pleasure and laughter to her neighborhood by her heat persona and comedic skills. Along with her radio profession, she appeared on platforms like “Def Comedy Jam” and in Tyler Perry movies, solidifying her presence in Atlanta’s leisure scene. Her legacy as a beloved voice and influential determine in Atlanta endures by the lives she touched each on and off the air.
Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones was a legendary determine within the music business A prolific producer, composer, and arranger, Jones’ profession spanned over seven a long time and formed the sound of recent music. He collaborated with icons like Michael Jackson—producing groundbreaking albums corresponding to “Thriller.” Jones’ was acknowledged for his affect extending past music, contributing to movie, tv, and philanthropy. He was the recipient of 28 Grammy Awards and his affect on the cultural panorama of music and artwork is plain.He died on Nov. 3, 2024, on the age of 91 because of problems with pancreatic most cancers..
Bob Love
Bob Love was an iconic ahead for the Chicago Bulls, identified for his scoring capability and defensive abilities. Throughout his 9 seasons with the group, the NBA star averaged 21.3 factors per recreation and earned three All-Star picks in addition to three All-Defensive Second Crew honors. Love performed an instrumental position in establishing the Bulls as a aggressive drive all through the Seventies. Love died on Nov.18, 2024, at age 81, abandoning a outstanding legacy within the sport.
Nikki Giovani
Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr. was an esteemed poet, educator, and activist that was well known for being a outstanding voice within the Black Arts Motion of the Nineteen Sixties and 70s. In 1968 she launched her debut assortment of writings, “Black Feeling, Black Discuss”, which bought over 10,000 copies in its first yr– marking the start of a prolific literary profession. Giovanni authored greater than 20 books, together with poetry, essays, and youngsters’s literature that usually explored themes of race, politics, and love. She additionally served as a distinguished artistic writing professor at Virginia Tech for over 30 years. On Dec. 9, Giovanni died at age 81 because of lung most cancers problems.
Jerry T. Hodges Jr.
One of many nation’s final Tuskegee Airmen, Jerry T. Hodges Jr., died on Dec. 19 on the age of 99. Hodges was a member of the extremely acclaimed 477th Bombardment Group and the final identified Tuskegee Airmen from Arkansas. All through his skilled and private life he exuded braveness and resilience– this was finest seen throughout his service all through World Warfare II the place he broke down racial boundaries. Exterior of his work within the army, he was nicely acknowledged for his work in accounting and finance.
