Black Celebs We Lost In 2025

It would not be possible for Black people to be celebrated the way we are today without those who paved the way before us, whether they’re musicians or athletes. Last year, we lost so many legends that it’s hard to even count. This year, we are starting to lose them again, but what really matters is that we never forget them. Here are the Black celebrities we lost so far in 2025.

Wayne Lewis

Wayne Lewis, one of the original members of the R&B group Atlantic Starr passed away on June 5 at age 68, according to a June 7 Facebook post by members of his family. The White Plains, N.Y. native founded the group, known for 1980s hits like “Secret Lovers” and “Send For Me” with his brothers Jonathan and David in 1976. Lewis’ cause of death has not been revealed.

Ananda Lewis

On June 11, journalist and television host Ananda Lewis passed away after a battle with breast cancer. Lewis was beloved by many for time as MTV VJ and host of the BET talk show series “Teen Summit.” Lewis’ family confirmed her passing in a Facebook post writing, “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.”

Sly Stone

Funk and soul legend Sly Stone, founding member of the band Sly and the Family Stone passed away on June 9 at age 82 after battling COPD and other underlying health issues. The singer was known for classic hits in the 196os and 1970s, including “Everyday People” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come,” his family wrote in a statement announcing his passing.

Junior Bridgeman

Former NBA player and billionaire businessman Junior Birdgeman died on March 11 at 71. He died after suffering a “medical emergency,” according to WISN. During his 12-year NBA career, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers. As a businessman and entrepreneur, Bridgeman invested in several restaurant chains, including Chili’s and Wendy’s. He also became a bottle distributor for Coca-Cola in three states and Canada. He died with a net worth of $1.4 billion.

Roy Ayers

Roy Ayers, the legendary composer, vibraphonist, record producer, and jazz-funk artist, died on March 4 at 84. In a statement from his family, they said he passed away “after a long illness.” Often called “The Godfather of Neo Soul,” Ayers was an accomplished musician who released dozens of albums that spanned more than 60 years. He is known for his 1976 hit, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which has since become a classic record in R&B and Jazz.

Angie Stone

R&B songstress Angie Stone died the morning of March 1 following an auto accident. The Columbia, S.C. native started her career in the 1970s as a member of female rap group The Sequence. She was nominated for several Grammys for her solo work, including in 2007 for her song “Baby” from her fourth solo album “The Art of Love & War.” She was 63.

Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning Singer and R&B Legend

Grammy-winning singer and true pioneering force in R&B Roberta Flack passed away on Monday, February 24th. She was 88 years old and surrounded by her family. Flack of course is known for her hit songs like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and her Grammy-winning cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”

Voletta Wallace, Mother of Biggie

The news that Voletta Wallace, mother to late rapper Biggie Smalls, passed away was made public on Friday, Feb. 21. She was receiving hospice care in her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and died of natural causes. She was 72 years old.

In a statement to her official Instagram, the post read:

We suffered a tremendous loss today. Our mother, our matriarch, the woman who dedicated herself to uplifting her son, Christopher Wallace, and preserving his legacy has passed. It is with immense sadness that we share this news with you, and ask that you give our family the space and time needed to grieve this monumental loss. Thank you for your continued outpouring of love, prayers and condolences in this difficult time.

Tommy Hunt

Tommy Hunt, and member of the legendary group The Flamingos, died at the age of 91. The Flamingos were best known for their 1959 cover of the song “I Only Have Eyes for You.” In 2001, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Irv Gotti

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., better known as Irv Gotti, passed away on February 5th. He was only 54. His children Angie, Sonny, and JJ stated in an Instagram post that he passed away surrounded by family and friends.

Gotti was a producer and the founder of the label Murder Inc., which was the label responsible for signing Ja Rule and Ashanti back in 1998. Murder Inc Records was also the label responsible for producing songs for other legendary artists such as Mary J Blige, DMX, and Jay-Z.

Harry Stewart Jr.

At the beautiful age of 100, World War II fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr. died on February 2nd. Stewart earned honors for his combat heroism, and he was one of the last surviving Tuskegee airmen. Stewart also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for taking down three German aircrafts on April 1st, 1945, according to CNN.

Barry Michael Cooper

Barry Michael Cooper was a writer and film producer. He was best known for his films New Jack City, Sugar Hill, and Above the Rim. Cooper was also known for the TV Series She’s Gotta Have It based on the Spike Lee film. Cooper was also an investigative journalist and one of the journalists to first report on the crack-cocaine epidemic in the 1980s, according to IMDB. Cooper passed on January 22 at the age of 66.

Gus Williams

Gus Williams, also known as “The Wizard,” was a two-time NBA All-Star. Throughout his career, William played for the Golden State Warriors, Seattle SuperSonics, Washington Bullets, and Atlanta Hawks. In 1979, Williams led the SuperSonics to an NBA championship and in 2009 was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. Williams passed on the 15th of January at the age of 71

Samuel Moore

Sam Moore passed away on January 10. He was 89. Moore was a singer best known for being a part of the soul duo Sam and Dave. The duo performed in the 1960s until they split in the 1980s. Moore was named one of Rolling Stone’s top 100 singers of all time and was a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame.