Just like any other year, 2024 saw some of our prominent Black figures in various fields of endeavors passing away. Though they may be gone, the legacies that they paved and left behind will forever remain and be remembered.
This list is in essence, a difficult one to make, but below are those prominent Black people we lost in 2024:
Nikki Giovanni
Trailblazing poet, writer, activist, educator, and icon of the Black arts movement Nikki Giovanni passed away on December 9, 2024, at the age of 81. Per NPR, Giovanni’s passing came after she was diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
Renée Watson, an author and friend of Giovanni, announced her death in a statement. “We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world,” poet Kwame Alexander said in the statement.
Quincy Jones
Legendary producer and musician Quincy Jones passed away in his Los Angeles home on November 3, 2024. The Grammy-winning producer and musician was 91. Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said he was surrounded by his family when he died.
Jones succumbed to pancreatic cancer, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated in his death certificate, TMZ reported.
DJ Clark Kent
Hip hop DJ and record producer DJ Clark Kent passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 58. DJ Clark Kent, born Rodolfo Antonio Franklin II, died after a 3-year battle with colon cancer.
Thelma Mothershed Wair
Thelma Mothershed Wair, a member of the group of nine teenagers who made history in 1957 when they became the first Black students to attend a previously segregated high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on October 19, 2024, aged 83.
Mothershed Wair’s sister, Grace Davis, told The Associated Press that she died at a hospital in Little Rock after battling multiple sclerosis. As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Mothershed Wair and eight other Black students became known as the Little Rock Nine when they integrated Little Rock’s Central High School despite being threatened and insulted by White segregationists.
Wanda Smith
Prominent Atlanta radio host Wanda Smith passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 59. Smith died a day after she celebrated her birthday. “Our hearts are weighing heavier today as we grieve the loss of our beloved Wanda Smith, someone who always made us smile and who was a big part of V-103 for years. We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to her family,” Atlanta’s V-103 radio’s Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Rick Caffey, said in a post on Instagram, per FOX 5 Atlanta.
Cissy Houston
Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston passed away on October 7, 2024, at her New Jersey home aged 91. Cissy, who was a renowned gospel singer, was in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease when she died.
John Amos
Renown actor John Amos died of natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84.
Dikembe Mutombo
NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo died from brain cancer on September 30, 2024, the NBA said in a statement. He was 58. He was surrounded by his family, the statement said.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”
Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson, one of the Jackson 5, and the brother of singer Janet Jackson and superstar Michael Jackson, passed away on September 15, 2024, according to longstanding family friend and former Jackson family manager Steve Manning, as reported by Entertainment Tonight. Tito, 70 years old, was the third oldest of the well-known Jackson family.
James Earl Jones
Legendary actor James Earl Jones passed away at home on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93. The EGOT winner is fondly remembered for voicing Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. He also played King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America and its sequel.
Rich Homie Quan
Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan passed away in his Atlanta home on September 5, 2024. He was 33. The rapper was pronounced dead after his girlfriend found him unresponsive in their Atlanta home.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner in Georgia ruled Rich Homie Quan died as a result of an accidental drug overdose. Per TMZ, the medical examiner in its report stated that the rapper, born Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died from the effects of the combination of multiple drugs including fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine.
The report additionally stated that there were no signs of trauma on his body at the time of his death and during examination. And though THC was also found in the late rapper’s system, it was determined he did not die as a result of cannabis.
Fatman Scoop
Hip-hop recording artist Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman III, passed away on August 30, 2024, after collapsing on stage. He was 56.
Wally Amos
Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr. founded the “Famous Amos” cookies, which gained nationwide recognition. Amos, who passed away at age 88 on August 13, 2024, built his brand from a single outlet in Los Angeles and a family recipe.
Sheila Jackson Lee
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passed away on July 19, 2024, at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with cancer. Known for her tireless advocacy for Black Americans and a formidable presence in Congress, Lee’s passing marked the end of a distinguished career dedicated to justice, equality, and the betterment of her community.
Joe Bryant
Joe Bryant, the father of the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, passed away on July 15, 2024, at 69 following a recent massive stroke.
Enchanting
Enchanting, the Texas rapper who was previously signed to fellow hip-hop star Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records, died on June 11, 2024, after reportedly suffering an overdose.
Per Entertainment Weekly, the rapper, whose real name is Channing Nicole Larry, is said to have passed away after she was taken off life support. She was 26.
O.J. Simpson
Former NFL star and actor O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76.
