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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