These individuals touched our lives and shifted the culture with their timeless contributions.
Here we pay homage to all of the famous black people who passed away in 2023, may they all rest In peace
1. Jim Brown 5/18/2023

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 22, 2016: Former Cleveland Browns player Jim Brown speaks to the crowd during the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 championship victory parade on June 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by: 2016 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) photography,people,horizontal,usa,success,sport,talking,ohio,basketball – sport,athlete,nba,playoffs,american football – sport,three quarter length,parade,nba finals,former,cleveland cavaliers,championship,cleveland – ohio,cleveland browns,victory parade,nba pro basketball,jim brown – actor and american football fullback,crowd of people
2. Harry Bellafonte 4/25/2023

Portrait du chanteur Harry Bellafonte en 1976. (Photo by Francois LOCHON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) photography,france,horizontal,portrait,1970-1979,black and white,archival,human interest,harry belafonte
3. Willis Reed 3/21/2023

NEW YORK, N.Y.-NOVEMBER 8: Willis Reed, Center, of the New York Knicks grimaces while waiting for the Boston Celtics to shoot free-throws during an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden on November 8, 1973. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 94-84. (Photo By Ross Lewis/Getty Images) photography,people,one person,horizontal,usa,new york city,sport,basketball – sport,boston celtics,nba,madison square garden,archival,waiting,match – sport,grimacing,taking a shot – sport,new york knicks,1973,nba pro basketball,making a basket – scoring,willis reed
4. Lance Reddick 3/17/2023

Lance Reddick (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) at a red carpet premiere
5. Felton Spencer 3/12/2023

Felton Spencer #50, Center for the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the NBA Central Division basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets on 10th March 1992 at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The Charlotte Hornets won the game 105 – 96. (Photo by Jim Gund/Allsport/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,people,one person,usa,adult,adults only,headshot,sport,african-american ethnicity,one man only,looking,basketball – sport,nba,match – sport,charlotte – north carolina,charlotte hornets,minnesota timberwolves,1992,charlotte coliseum,nba pro basketball,north carolina – us state,sportsperson,center – athlete
6.
7. Stanley Wilson 2/1/2023

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 18, 2007: Defensive back Stanley Wilson #31 of the Detroit Lions looks towards the sidelines prior to the game versus the Cleveland Browns on August 18, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Detroit won 23-20. Stanley Wilson07-1201210 (Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) color image,usa,waist up,sport,ohio,looking,american football – sport,nfl,stadium,match – sport,detroit lions,cleveland – ohio,cleveland browns,cleveland browns stadium,municipal stadium,reserve athlete,nfc north,defending – sport,stanley wilson
8. Rapper Trugoy the Dove of the band De La Soul 2/12/2023

INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Rapper Trugoy the Dove of the band De La Soul performs onstage during Weekend 1, Day 2 of the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 13, 2019 in Indio, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,concert,performance,california,day,performance group,weekend activities,music festival,day 2,entertainment event,indio – california,coachella valley music and arts festival,de la soul
9. Charlie Thomas 1/31/2023

NEW YORK, NY – September 28: ( MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images ) R&B singer Charlie Thomas of The Drifters performing on September 28, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,new york city,music,performance,singer,performing arts event,r&b
10. TV Personality & son of Rickey Smiley Brandon Smiley 1/30/2023

“Standing Ovation” for Brandon Smiley “standing ovation” for brandon smiley
11. American Idol Singer C.J. Harris 1/15/2023

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 14: Contestant C.J. Harris performs at American Idol Live! at The Greek Theatre on August 14, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,adult,adults only,music,theatrical performance,television show,performance,california,city of los angeles,one man only,live event,reality tv,american idol,contestant,the greek theatre – griffith park,c.j. harris – singer
12. NFL Player Charles White 1/11/2023

Portrait of Charles White, running back for U.C.L.A. photography,people,horizontal,portrait,headshot,sport,1970-1979,archival,running back,human interest,charles white – american football player
13. Singer Gordy Hardmon 1/5/2023

CIRCA 1971: (L-R) R and B singers Nicholas Caldwell, Gordy Hardmon, Walter Scott, Marcus Hutson and Wallace “Scotty” Scott of the R and B band “The Whispers” pose for a portrait in circa 1971. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) full length,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topics,topix,looking at camera,portrait,singer,1970-1979,black and white,archival,performance group,the whispers – band
14. Dancer Arthur Duncan 1/4/2023

Arthur Duncan (Photo by David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,city of los angeles
15. Gospel Singer Kevin Lemons 1/7/2023
16. Fred White of Earth Wind & Fire 1/1/2023

NETHERLANDS – MARCH 14: AHOY Photo of EARTH WIND & FIRE and Fred WHITE, Drummer Fred White performing on stage (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns) arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,music,performance,1970-1979,archival,netherlands,rotterdam,ahoy center rotterdam,earth wind & fire,stage – performance space
17. Lola Chantrelle Mitchell AKA Gangsta Boo 1/1/2023

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 19: Gangsta Boo attends Echoing Soundz and Walter Mosley Firm “Fa La La Holiday Bash” on December 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,blue,california,city of los angeles,sunglasses,mini skirt,top – garment,jacket,fur,skirt,fur jacket,black skirt,blue jacket,gangsta rap,black color,dark blue,coat – garment