In 1926, Blind Lemon Jefferson became the first solo singer-guitarist to have a hit record (Paramount's advertisement promised "a real, old-fashioned blues, by a real, old-fashioned blues singer . Of those, 920 are men; 257 of them are black males who have died. The Alfred M. Rankin Professor of Law at Yale Law School was the first Black assistant attorney general for civil rights in President Jimmy Carters administration and later served as the first Black U.S. solicitor general, serving under President Bill Clinton. David Dinkins, New York Citys first Black mayor, died Nov. 23 at his home from natural causes at the age of 93, just over a month after his wife Joyces death at age 89. He was only 30. , 13. died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash Calabasas, Calif. Bryant, who played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, entered the league directly from high school and won five NBA championships before retiring in 2016. who played the role of Willona Woods on Good Times, died Feb. 18 at the age of 74. Read More . He was just 14. died at home on Dec. 2 in San Diego, according to The New York Times. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( He was just 14. Pooh was the most athletic of them all. However, an official cause of death was not immediately reported. Blackwood and Bill Lyles died when the group's private plane crashed in Clanton, Ala. - Feb. 3, 1959: Rock stars Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper". Marvin Gaye. Born in Jamaica, NYC, Wright dominated the R&B and radio industry with his hit song, Who Do You Love while he was just 19 years old. Another man, whom news sources kept anonymous, was shot and wounded. As of 2023, she is around 45 years old. They were officially discovered after winning the renowned amateur night talent competition at the world-famous Apollo Theater. To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. Tytyana appeared alongside her brother on the reality show Growing Up Hip Hop in 2016. The Mississippi native died due to complications from COVID-19. An icon of black cinema, Poitier was also an activist, director, and ambassador to his native home of The Bahamas. Each year, The Washington Informer pays tribute to our most notable Black brothers and sisters who have transitioned over the past 12 months. He played for the Chicago Bears from 1965-71 after setting records at the University of Kansas and earning the nickname Kansas Comet.. Famous Black People Who Have Died in 2022 - Magic 95.5 FM , who served as an evangelical adviser to President Donald Trump, died on Nov. 9 at the age of 86. According to reports, the shooting took place Tuesday morning at a bowling alley in downtown Houston. He was 49. Thomas Remembering the life, death and legacy of singer B.J. 1. The mixed-race congregation grew to more than 12,000 under his leadership, the largest congregation in the region. The group sings Derricks signature song, Just a Little Talk with Jesus., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elMv2BxHDQc. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Facebook/Jonathan Pierce Jonathan Pierce pictured in a publicity shot from 2011. Born Clyde Lamar Thrasher in 1940, he was known as Buddy most of hi Jerry served with Singing News Magazine from May 1969 until his retirement in 2010, encompassing a total of 492 issues.