All Major Black Celebs We Lost In 2025

This year brought heartbreaking goodbyes across music, television, film, sports, and culture. Fans celebrated unforgettable voices, storytellers, innovators, and leaders who shaped generations and opened doors for others coming behind them. Their achievements continue to echo in homes, on stages, and in communities around the world.

Below is a careful look back at influential Black figures we lost in 2025. Each entry highlights what they created, the milestones they reached, and the ways their work still resonates. These lives were full and meaningful, and the details here help keep their legacies alive.

Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack was a singular vocalist and pianist whose recordings brought together soul, jazz, folk, and pop in elegant ways. Signature songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Killing Me Softly with His Song, and Feel Like Makin’ Love anchored a run of acclaimed albums and high chart success.

Her later years included tributes from major institutions and consistent rediscovery by new listeners. Her influence can be heard in the phrasing and arrangements of artists across generations who study her recordings to learn nuance and control.

Sly Stone

Sly Stone reshaped American music as the creative force behind Sly and the Family Stone. The band’s diverse lineup and electrifying fusion of funk, rock, and soul produced anthems that changed how rhythm sections worked and how bands presented themselves on stage.

His songwriting and studio innovations set the template for grooves that producers still sample and study. Musicians cite his records as blueprints for modern funk and pop, and his performances remain landmarks in live music history.

Angie Stone

Angie Stone connected early hip hop and the rise of neo soul. She started with the group The Sequence and later released solo albums that delivered radio staples such as No More Rain and Wish I Didn’t Miss You, with strong placements on rhythm and blues charts.

She collaborated widely and mentored younger singers who admired her tone and storytelling. Her catalog remains a go to for programmers building sets from the golden era of soulful vocals and for fans who love rich harmonies and thoughtful lyrics.

Malcolm Jamal Warner

Malcolm Jamal Warner became a household name playing Theo Huxtable and then built a varied career in television, film, directing, and music. He earned award recognition for dramatic roles later in life while also performing spoken word and bass on stage.

He worked behind the camera on episodes for network and cable series and appeared in recurring roles that broadened his range. His work in community events and arts education brought him closer to audiences who grew up watching him and followed his creative evolution.

Danielle Spencer

Danielle Spencer, remembered as Dee Thomas on What’s Happening!!, balanced child stardom with a later career in veterinary medicine. She returned for the follow up series and stayed connected to fans through reunions and classic television conventions.

Her veterinary work earned admiration from families she served and from viewers who were inspired by her path beyond entertainment. She is often cited as an example of how performers can thrive in new callings while honoring their first chapter on screen.

Jerry Butler

Jerry Butler, known as the Iceman, first rose to fame with the Impressions before establishing a solo career filled with smooth soul standards. His recordings influenced both Chicago and Philadelphia soul scenes and helped define a sophisticated sound for adult audiences.

He later entered public service while continuing to be honored by music organizations. Younger singers and producers point to his phrasing and craftsmanship as guides for making timeless ballads that travel well across decades.

Walter Scott

Walter Scott, a co founder and longtime vocalist of the Whispers, helped shape the group’s smooth approach to rhythm and blues. Their songs set a standard for harmonies and mid tempo grooves that worked on radio and onstage.

He toured for decades and maintained a connection with fans who valued consistency and class. The Whispers catalog remains essential for anyone exploring the bridge between seventies soul and the polished sound that followed.

Irv Gotti

Irv Gotti built a reputation as a music executive and producer who helped steer major careers in hip hop and rhythm and blues. He co founded a successful label and worked on albums and singles that dominated radio and video countdowns in the early two thousands.

He later moved into television projects that showcased artists and behind the scenes stories. His ear for hooks and partnerships with star vocalists left a clear imprint on the sound of that era’s mainstream hits.

Ananda Lewis

Ananda Lewis rose to prominence as an MTV VJ and talk show host who connected youth culture with conversations about health and personal growth. She started on Teen Summit and later used her platform to advocate for screening and awareness around breast cancer.

Her interviews balanced warmth and candor, helping guests feel seen while giving audiences practical takeaways. She remained active in outreach that encouraged people to take ownership of their wellness.

Assata Shakur

Assata Shakur became a central figure in conversations about Black liberation and the justice system. Her life story included activism, imprisonment, a controversial escape, and decades spent in Cuba.

Her writing influenced organizers and readers across the world who studied her account of struggle and survival. Public debate around her legacy has continued for years and remains part of broader discussions about movements and state power.

George Foreman

George Foreman was a two time heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist whose name became known in homes everywhere. His first championship run, the famous bout in Zaire, and his later comeback made him a symbol of resilience in sports.

He became a minister and an entrepreneur who supported youth programs and community life. His business ventures turned his name into a global brand and helped fund work that reached far beyond the ring.

Share the names and memories that meant the most to you in the comments so the stories can continue.