Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2023

1. Tori Bowie, three-time Olympic medalist

Former 100-meter world champion and three-time Olympic medalist Tori Bowie died at the age of 32, her management company announced Wednesday.

Icon Management Inc. statement:

“We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” Icon Management said in a statement on Twitter. “We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion … a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.”

Bowie had a wonderful performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics where she won silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200.

2. Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and civil rights champion

Harry Belafonte, a barrier-breaking entertainer and a powerful pillar in the fight for civil rights, has joined the ancestors.

Longtime spokesman Ken Sunshine confirmed to the New York Times that Belafonte died in his Manhattan home on Tuesday morning (April 25) of congestive heart failure. He was 96.

Born in Harlem to West Indian immigrants on March 1, 1927, Belafonte was arguably the most successful Caribbean-American artist in pop music. His 1956 album, Calypso, topped the Billboard album chart shortly after release and stayed there for 31 weeks. That album is said to be the first to sell a million copies.

3. Otis Redding III, Guitarist

Otis Redding III, the youngest son of the iconic soul singer who became a revered musician in his own right, died at the age of 59.

His sister, Karla Redding-Andrews, posted a statement on the Facebook page of the family charity, the Otis Redding Foundation:

4. Lance Reddick, Actor

Lance Reddick, the actor widely known for his role in the hit cable crime drama, “The Wire,” has died, according to reports.

First reported by TMZ, Reddick was found dead at his home in California on Friday morning. 

TMZ reported that law enforcement said the death of the 60-year-old “appears to be natural.”

5. Gangsta Boo, 43

Mitchell was the second woman to join Three 6 Mafia in the early ’90s, and after her departure from the group, she continued to record mixtapes and appear on singles from the likes of Gucci Mane, La Chat, and more. When she was fifteen, she contributed to Three 6’s Mystic Stylez album and remained a fixture in Memphis through her untimely passing.

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6. Brandon Smiley, 32

Brandon Smiley, the son of radio host and stand-up comedian Rickey Smiley, has died. The elder Smiley shared the news via social media but no cause of death was shared.

Smiley, 54, shared the news via his Instagram account in a video clip that was captioned “My Son Passed Away” with the post’s caption asking for warm thoughts for Brandon Smiley’s mother and daughter.

7. Willis Reed, NBA Legend

Willis Reed, a former 7-time All-Star for the New York Knicks, has passed away. He was 80 years old.

Reed was drafted in the second round by the Knicks in the 1964 NBA draft. He was that year’s Rookie of the Year and went to seven straight All-Star games. He also made the All-NBA Team five times. The former center and power forward helped New York win titles in 1970 and 1973, and was the league MVP in the 1969-70 season.

8. Jim Brown, Hall of Famer, Browns Legend

One of the best professional and collegiate football players of all time, Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown died at 87.

Monique Brown, Brown’s wife, revealed his death in an Instagram post on Friday afternoon. Brown “passed peacefully” in their Los Angeles home on Thursday night, she added.

“To the world he was an activist, actor, and football star,” the post read. “To our gamily he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken…”

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