Tag: Obituary

R&B singer Freddie Jackson passed away on Oct. 5. Known for romantic ballads like "You Are My Lady" and "Rock Me Tonight," his smooth hits have been in constant rotation on quiet storm playlists since the mid-1980s. Although his official cause of death has not been confirmed, Jackson was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2004. Jackson was 70 years old.

From actors to athletes, to politicians and more, we're honoring the Black legends we lost in 2026. Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan, the eldest daughter of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and the late Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, has died, according to the Nation of Islam. She was known for decades of service to the Nation of Islam, particularly through agriculture and youth education. In 2016, she received the organization's first Farmer of the Year honor for her farming work in Michigan and efforts to encourage young people to pursue agriculture, Final Call News reported. She also held leadership roles in Muslim Girls Training. Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. She was 72 years old.

Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Cassandra Wilson passed away in Jackson, MS, on Sept. 1. Her manager confirmed her death in a statement, saying that the singer-songwriter transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager. In addition to 19 solo studio albums, Wilson also recorded with some of the industry's top artists, including The Roots, Wynton Marsalis and Elvis Costello. In 2001, Time called her America's Best Singer. Cassandra Wilson was 70 years old.

2025 was a tough year as we lost many Black legends we knew and loved. Now, as 2026 rolls past the halfway mark, we continue to say goodbye to even more of those who had such a tremendous impact on the culture. Although they are gone, they will never be forgotten. From actors to athletes, to politicians and more, we're honoring the Black legends we lost in 2026.

We're not going to lie, 2025 was a tough year, as we lost many of the Black legends we knew and loved. Now, as 2026 rolls past the halfway mark, we continue to say goodbye to even more of those who had such a tremendous impact on the culture. Although they are gone, they will never be forgotten. From actors to athletes, to politicians and more, we're honoring the Black legends we lost in 2026.

Media Take Out joins the entire culture in mourning the passing of trailblazing entertainment columnist, syndicated radio host, and author Flo Anthony, who has passed away at the age of 74.