Obituaries

Few people have had as wide an impression across industries as Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols.

Actress Shonka Dukureh was found dead inside her Nashville apartment, right on the heels of a standout role in the new 'Elvis' biopic.

Kevin Samuels, a popular but controversial YouTube personality, self-proclaimed relationship guru and image consultant who became widely known for his divisive, misogynistic commentary about Black women, in particular, died in Atlanta.

With barely anytime to process the information, Kryst's family released a statement describing her as "a great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength." 

Many of the final social media posts from Ian Alexander Jr., Regina King's son and a DJ, singer and producer who performed as Desduné before dying by suicide, eagerly look toward the future. But others offered more cryptic messages.

Lusia "Lucy" Harris-Stewart, the legendary hall of fame hopps star and first-ever woman drafted by the NBA whose largely unknown life story is told in an Academy Award-contending documentary called "The Queen Of Basketball," has died at the age of 66.

Bahamian actor, director, writer, and diplomat Sidney Poitier, has died at the age of 94. His death was confirmed by multiple Bahamian news outlets as well as the Bahamian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Here's a list of 21 of the most devastating deaths of notable Black people that rocked an entire diaspora in 2021.

Tutu was a voice of reason who broke through the noise and complacency to make sure people understood what was right.

Russell "Maroon" Shoatz, a former Black Liberation Army soldier former member of the Black Panthers who became a prominent and influential prison abolitionist while behind bars for more than two decades in solitary confinement during a nearly 50-year prison sentence, has died

While known by many for his in-depth coverage and connection to hip hop, Tate was a quintessential culture critic engaging Black art and life in an unapologetic exploration of creativity. Scrolling through Tate's work at the Village Voice readers will find everything from profiles of Daughter of the Dusk Director Julie Dash to reviews of Terry McMillan's "A Day Late" and Spike Lee's "Bamboozled." 

In 1975, Elder played at the Masters, becoming the first Black player to play at round at the famed tournament and course located in Augusta, Georgia.