2025 hasn’t been kind. It’s the year we’ve said goodbye to some of the most powerful African American women in entertainment—voices that shaped gospel, screens, and soul. These trailblazing African American women didn’t just perform; they built legacies that reshaped culture and still resonate long after the final curtain. Here is a list of female African celebrities who died in 2025.
Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis, the unforgettable MTV VJ and Teen Summit host, died on June 11, 2025, at 52 after a battle with breast cancer. She made authenticity cool.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, best known for Vice Principals, died on October 3, 2025, at 52. Her cause of death remains unknown, leaving fans stunned and saddened.
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer, who made Dee Thomas everyone’s favorite snitch on What’s Happening!!, died on August 11, 2025, at 60 from stomach cancer. She never lost her spark.
Lynn Hamilton
Lynn Hamilton, best known as Donna Harris from Sanford and Son, died of natural causes on June 19, 2025. She was 94 and left TV richer for it.
Angie Stone
R&B legend Angie Stone died in a car crash involving her Sprinter van and an 18-wheeler. The Grammy-nominated singer’s voice may be gone, but her impact isn’t.
Karen Silva
Karen Silva, a 17-year-old The Voice Kids alum, died from a hemorrhagic stroke in Volta Redonda, Brazil. “Karen was a symbol of empowerment,” her team wrote.
Alice Tan Ridley
Alice Tan Ridley, powerhouse singer and mother of Gabourey Sidibe, died at 72 on March 25, 2025, in New York City. Her voice always stole the spotlight.
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack, the legendary voice behind Killing Me Softly and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, died on Feb. 24 at 86. “She died peacefully,” her family said.
Voletta Wallace
Voletta Wallace, mother of The Notorious B.I.G., died on February 21, 2025, at 72, according to the Monroe County Coroner’s Office. A true matriarch of hip-hop.
Gwen McCrae
Gwen McCrae, the disco powerhouse behind Keep That Fire Burnin’, died on February 21, 2025, at 81 after a long illness. Her groove never faded.
Vanessa Brown Knowles
Vanessa Brown Knowles, founding member of The Brown Singers, died on September 28, 2025, at 63. Her daughter, Lisa Knowles Smith, shared the heartbreaking news online.
Khadiyah Lewis
Khadiyah “KD” Lewis, known from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, has died, her brother confirmed. The entrepreneur behind three thriving businesses turned hustle into a legacy.
Alexis Herman
Alexis Herman, the trailblazing first Black U.S. secretary of labor, died at 77. From desegregation fights to the Clinton cabinet, she turned history into progress.
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