Obituaries
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.
Michael Madsen, Iconic Actor Known for ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill,’ Dies at 67 Michael Madsen, the celebrated actor known for his tough-guy roles in films like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco, has passed away at the age of 67. Madsen was found unresponsive at his Malibu home on Thursday, July 3, 2025, and was pronounced […]
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.
D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the legendary soul/R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at 64 following a battle with bladder cancer.
Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa, And Dog Found Dead in Their New Mexico Home Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday, alongside their dog. Hackman was 95 years old, while Arakawa was 63. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed […]
Sha'Vi Lewis, a Clark Atlanta alum who competed in Bravo's fashion-competition series "Project Runway," passed away on Feb. 24.
Kultida Woods, mother of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, has died at the age of 80, according to Tiger himself. He announced the news via a statement on his X account. Tiger described his mother as “biggest fan” and “greatest supporter” in his heartfelt message about Kultida’s passing: “My Mom was a force of nature all […]
DJ Unk has reportedly passed away at 42 years old. Anthony “DJ Unk” Platt first skyrocketed to fame in 2006 with his breakout single “Walk It Out”— the song reached the top 10 on Billboard 100 and the dance quickly became a cultural phenomenon. His follow-up single “2 Step” also made it onto the charts. […]
The last 12 months marked the heartbreaking losses of so many iconic and transcendent Black figures in entertainment, business, sports, activism and beyond.
Nikki Giovanni, the legendary poet, author and activist whose career spanned nearly 60 years, has died. She was 81.
Six hundred teddy bears, each labeled with a child’s name, were laid across the National Mall, symbolizing the innocent lives lost. After the ceremony...
