In Memoriam: 15 Black celebrities who passed in 2019

As we celebrate the dawn of a new decade, we must also reflect on the lives we lost in 2019. This partial list of 15 Black celelbrities is a small tribute.

In Memoriam 2019
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As a new year unfurls in front of us, it’s only natural to be grateful to witness the dawn of a new decade. Unfortunately, some of Black America’s favorite celebrities did not make it to 2020. From an actual diva (opera) to an acclaimed director of classic films to a beloved author to a fervent freedom fighter, we lost numerous Black notables who have left an indelible impact on the world. There were numerous Black lives lost in 2019 and this modest list of 15 is not exhaustive. However, we will continue to appreciate and honor the work of each person who touched our lives.

JAMES INGRAM (February 16, 1952- January 29, 2019)

James Ingram


KRISTOFF ST. JOHN (July 15, 1966-February 3, 2019)

Kristoff St. John



NIPSEY HUSSLE (August 15, 1985-March 31, 2019)

Nipsey Hussle



JOHN SINGLETON (January 6, 1968-April 28, 2019)

John Singleton

 

MELVIN EDMONDS (September 2, 1954-May 18,2019)

Melvin Edmonds



BUSHWICK BILL (December 8, 1966-June 9,2019)

Bushwick Bill



PERNELL “SWEETPEA’ WHITAKER (January 2,1964-July 14,2019)

Pernell Whitaker



TONI MORRISON (February 18,1931-August 5, 2019)

Toni Morrison



LASHAWN DANIELS (December 28, 1977-September 3, 2019)

LaShawn Daniels



JESSYE NORMAN (September 15, 1945-September 30, 2019)

Jessye Norman



DIAHANN CARROLL (July 17,1935-October 4, 2019)

Diahann Carroll



ELIJAH CUMMINGS (January 18, 1951-October 17, 2019)

Elijah Cummings


JOHN CONYERS (May 16, 1929-October 27, 2019)

John Conyers



JOHN WITHERSPOON (February 27,  1942-October 29, 2019)

John Witherspoon



Juice WRLD (December 2, 1998-December 8, 2019)

Juice WRLD



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