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David Dinkins, First Black Mayor Of New York City, Dies At 93
Dinkins Dinkins was the first and only Black person to hold the post of mayor in the Big Apple, died Monday night. He was 93 years old.
Posted By Bruce C.T. Wright
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
David N. Dinkins, the first and only Black person to hold the post of mayor in the city of New York, died Monday night. He was 93 years old.
The New York Post reported his death first. Dinkins died of natural causes at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, according to NBC New York.
His death came about a month after his wife died.
Despite serving just one term, crime in the city decreased on Dinkins' watch more than any other time in New York's history – a distinction some believed belonged to his successor, Rudy Giuliani.
David Norman Dinkins was born in Trenton, N.J., on July 10, 1927. Although Dinkins did spend time in Harlem as a child, he returned to Trenton to complete high school. Entering the U.S. Marines right after high school, Dinkins served as one of the Montford Point Marines and earned a Congressional Gold Medal from Congress for their efforts.
Dinkins later entered Howard University, graduating with a degree in Mathematics. Later, he attended Brooklyn Law School, leaving with a law degree.
Under the tutelage of Harlem's Carver Democratic Club leader J. Raymond Jones, Dinkins and many other Black politicians would later rise to prominent posts in the city. Dinkins credited Jones with his success via a statement after Jones' passing in 1991.
In the Carver Democratic Club, Dinkins aligned himself with Basil Paterson, the father of former New York governor David Paterson; congressman Charles Rangel; and Percy Sutton. Known as the "Gang Of Four," these men would go on to top political posts within New York and abroad.
After several political appointments in New York, including becoming Manhattan's borough president in 1985, Dinkins defeated his Republican opponent, Giuliani, in the general election after surprising many by winning the Democratic primary votes earlier. Dinkins entered the office amid scandal, as the outgoing administration was mired in a corruption scandal.
David Dinkins and Ed Koch shake hands at Dinkins' inauguration. (Photo By: Keith Torrie/NY Daily News via Getty Images) | Source: New York Daily News Archive / Getty
Dinkins thrived in his post, creating the Safe Streets, Safe Cities program that lowered the city's crime rate more than any other time in modern history. Dinkins also negotiated with the state legislature to dedicate a tax in hiring thousands of police officers. Dinkins also helped to initiate a plan to keep schools open longer in a bid to keep teenagers off the streets at night.
Dinkins did not win re-election in 1993, losing to Giuliani amid talks by some experts that he failed to connect with Jewish voters. Despite the loss, Dinkins remained active in politics by endorsing candidates and the like. Dinkins also moved on to humanitarian efforts, such as serving on the board of the Jazz Founders of America, which helped work with elderly jazz and blues musicians in finding them homes and health care.
Dinkins' death followed that of his longtime wife, Joyce Dinkins, who died Oct. 12 at the age of 89.
She and her husband are survived by their two children and two grandchildren.
This is a developing story that will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks We Lost In 2020
95 photos Launch gallery
1. MF DOOM, rapper, 49
A post shared by MF DOOM. ALL CAPS. (@mfdoom)
2. Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quiñones, dancer, 65
Source:Getty	2 of 95
3. Joe Clark, 82
4. Ty Jordan, 19
5. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, 56
6. Alfred Thomas Farrar, 99
After graduating high school, Alfred Thomas Farrar left his hometown of Lynchburg, Va. for Tuskegee, Alabama, where he began training as a Tuskegee Airman. This month, he will turn 100 years old. https://t.co/qmkDgbOHPc
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 19, 2020
7. Arnie Robinson, 72
8. Rev. James L. Netters, 93
Our prayers are with the friends and family of Rev. Dr. James Netters. He was one of the first African American Memphis City Council members and his legacy will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/2EjzQoQMdb
— mem_council (@MEM_Council) December 13, 2020
9. Carol Sutton, actress, 76
10. Marcus Garvey Jr., 90
Rest In Peace Marcus Garvey Jr. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/mFHGxMZTCO
— Nation State of Mind (@OmowaleAfrika) December 9, 2020
11. Charley Pride, pioneering country music singer, 86
Source:Getty	11 of 95
12. Tommy "Tiny" Lister, actor, 62
13. Natalie Desselle-Reid, actress, 53
14. Bruce Boynton, 83
We mourn the loss of Alabama attorney Bruce Boynton, who secured his place in history as a staunch advocate for civil rights.
Boynton and @NAACP_LDF founder, Thurgood Marshall's work challenged segregation laws and spurred the "Freedom Rides" movement. https://t.co/PBW7WpRvzt
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) November 24, 2020
15. David Dinkins, 93
16. Bobby Brown Jr., 28
I'm heartbroken on this one. 💔
Sending my prayers and condolences to Bobby Brown & family. Let's pray for his strength because we all know he needs it at this time.
Bobby Brown Jr. had a special gift. Rest well and in paradise 🙏🏾🎶🌹 #BobbyBrownJr #RestInPeaceBobbyBrownJr pic.twitter.com/hKKNon56kt
— Natalie Y. B. (@i_Am_Natalie_B) November 19, 2020
17. Ben Watkins, "Masterchef Junior" contestant, 14
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Ben Watkins, a beloved member of the MasterChef Junior family. Ben overcame so much in his life with a remarkably positive attitude. pic.twitter.com/85bEehXlgM
— MasterChef Junior (@MasterChefJrFOX) November 18, 2020
18. Drew Days III, pioneering legal scholar, 79
19. Lucille Bridges, mother of activist Ruby Bridges, 86
Today we mourn the loss of one of the mothers of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans with the passing of Lucille Bridges — mother of five, including Ruby Bridges, who as a first-grader in 1960 was one of six black children to integrate the all-white William Frantz School. pic.twitter.com/AMvcxsWbJu
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) November 11, 2020
20. Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor who advised Trump
21. Johnny Nash, chart-topping singer, 80
In 1972 Johnny Nash had this million seller that became a classic that would be know by many generations to follow. A Texas native, Nash met Bob Marley in the 60s and he became one of the early non-Jamaican singers to do Reggae music. RIP pic.twitter.com/j5qRKTegoU
— Ed Gordon (@EdLGordon) October 7, 2020
22. Gale Sayers, former Chicago Bears star and football legend, 77
23. Pamela Hutchinson, singer, 61
24. Steve Carter, playwright, 90
DG mourns the loss of longtime member Steve Carter, who joined the Guild in 1978. An advocate, teacher, and leading writer of the Negro Ensemble Company, he was the first playwright in residence @victorygardens. May he rest in power. https://t.co/czQ27UtSYA pic.twitter.com/wXv8ivDEhL
— Dramatists Guild (@dramatistsguild) September 18, 2020
25. Roy Hammond, singer, 81
R.I.P. Roy Charles HAMMOND (1939-2020), better known as Roy C, American southern soul singer, songwriter and record executive.
He was best known for his 1965 hit, "Shotgun Wedding" and for his 1973 single "Impeach the President", later sampled by many hip-hop artists. pic.twitter.com/toKsZPRcSx
— In__Memoriam (@In___Memoriam) September 17, 2020
26. Toots Hibbert, reggae singer, 77
27. Lou Brock, baseball legend, 81
- 6x All-Star
- 2x World Series champion
- 3,023 career hits
- 938 career stolen bases
- 1985 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
A baseball legend.
RIP Lou Brock pic.twitter.com/T3p93FJ998
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) September 6, 2020
28. Sylvester Francis, cultural historian, 73
Source:YouTube/Mike Yearling	28 of 95
29. James S. Jackson, psychologist
It is with great sadness that I announce that James S. Jackson has passed. He was the Founder of the Program for Research on Black Americans. He was a mentor to numerous junior scholars who have become Deans, Department Chairs, Endowed Professors, and leaders in their fields. pic.twitter.com/sZmzAoCvlh
— PRBA (@PRBA_ISR) September 2, 2020
30. John Thompson, basketball coaching legend, 78
31. Chadwick Boseman, actor, 43
Source:WENN	31 of 95
32. Chi Chi DeVayne, reality TV star, 34
33. Bob Ryland, first Black tennis pro, 100
Bob Ryland has passed away at the age of 100
He was the 1st African American man to play professional #tennis, helping pave the way for other legends of the game. His strength, resilience & passion for tennis was outdone only by the love he showed for others. via @USPTA_Tennis pic.twitter.com/tBhEEhihCa
— Nicholas DiNubile MD (@drnickUSA) August 4, 2020
34. James "Kamala the Ugandan" Harris, former pro wrestler, 70
35. Herman Cain, former presidential candidate, 74
Herman Cain has passed away at age 74 after being hospitalized with the coronavirus.https://t.co/DPXjCGEKSd
— NewsOne (@newsone) July 30, 2020
36. Stanley Robinson, former college basketball star, 32
The UConn Basketball family grieves the loss of a great player and an even greater person, Stanley "Sticks" Robinson. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stanley's family at this difficult time 🙏
Rest In Peace, Sticks. pic.twitter.com/ihm5z0h1OK
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) July 22, 2020
37. John Lewis, civil rights icon and longtime Congressman, 80
38. Rev. C.T. Vivian, civil rights pioneer associated with Martin Luther King, 95
39. Jas 'JasFly' Waters, TV writer, 39
The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing. In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP @JasFly. pic.twitter.com/cmrh2OO8of
— ThisIsUsWriters (@ThisIsUsWriters) June 10, 2020
40. Wes Unseld, NBA Hall of Famer, 74
41. Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, former White House butler, 91
Tonight on @fox5dc at 10p -
He served at the pleasure of 11 U.S. Presidents... during his 55 years at the White House.
Last weekend, he passed from COVID-19.
My exclusive interview with the granddaughter of White House butler, Wilson Jerman is next! pic.twitter.com/SBiXbQLiud
— 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙣 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮 (@ShawnYancyTV) May 20, 2020
42. Shad Gaspard, pro wrestler, 39
43. Gregory Tyree Boyce, actor, 30
44. Bob Watson, former MLB star and manager, 74
45. Fred L. Davis, civil rights activist and Memphis official, 86
We mourn the passing of former Councilman Fred L. Davis. His legacy is marked by his contributions to Memphis civil rights movements as he remains to be a pillar of justice for our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/M5TwP7r3vh
— mem_council (@MEM_Council) May 12, 2020
46. Ty, Nigerian rapper in the UK, 47
The Igbo Conference team is sad to announce the death of TY Chijioke (Ben Chijioke), the Nigerian UK Rapper . He had been battling with COVID-19 and it was thought that he'd overcome the worst having emerged from intensive care last month. Sadly, the virus claimed his life. RIP pic.twitter.com/YMRksXq9lY
— Ejiofor Michaels (@EjioforMichaels) May 8, 2020
47. Jimmy Glenn, boxing trainer, 89
48. Heyward Dotson, Columbia University basketball legend, 71
Saddened to learn of the passing of an all-time #ColumbiaMBB great, Heyward Dotson '70CC last week. Our condolences go out to his friends and family. #RoarLionRoar
🔗 https://t.co/B1kbIkaxPe pic.twitter.com/nHjrZ4EKOJ
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) May 4, 2020
49. Betty Wright, singer, 66
50. Little Richard, rock n' roll pioneer, 87
51. Andre Harrell, hip-hop executive, 59
52. Bob Andy, reggae singer, 75
53. Tony Allen, legendary African drummer, 79
54. Al Edwards, former Texas State Rep. and Juneteenth champion, 83
Today, we mourn the loss of Al Edwards, a trailblazer who spent his career uplifting Black voices. He was the driving force behind making Juneteenth a state holiday. His countless contributions to our state, and to our Democratic movement, will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/5TB7n40ziG
— Texas Democrats (@texasdemocrats) April 29, 2020
55. Stezo, rapper and pioneering hip-hop dancer, 51
Rest In Peace Stezo #stezo #crazynoise pic.twitter.com/OmEMIEgquL
— Underground P.A. (@UndergroundPA) April 30, 2020
56. Ashley 'Ms. Minnie' Ross, reality TV star, 34
57. Mike Huckaby, techno and house music pioneer and DJ, 54
R.I.P Mike Huckaby. You will forever continue to change so many peoples lives with your music, technique and mentoring. These clips of Huck are from 'Detroit The Blueprint Of Techno' 💔 pic.twitter.com/8t8c83Uy2K
— Dark Entries Records (@darkentriesrecs) April 25, 2020
58. Don "Campbellock" Campbell, creator of locking dance style, 69
59. Cheryl A. Wall, literary scholar, 71
60. Gil Bailey, radio pioneer
Rest In Peace Gil Bailey #covid19 has taken another giant. Gil Bailey Radio. pic.twitter.com/tzrOUnAGD9
— Clark Pena (@ClarkPenaEH) April 14, 2020
61. Grace F. Edwards, author, 87
We are sad to announce Ms. Grace F. Edwards, long-time Director and Secretary Emeritus of the Harlem Writers Guild passed away on Feb. 28th, 2020 from natural causes. Plans for a memorial service have been delayed amid the pandemic.@harlemwritershttps://t.co/715hR93MyO
— Eartha Watts Hicks publisher of Earthatone Books (@Earthatone) April 13, 2020
62. Samuel Hargress Jr., owner of legendary Harlem nightclub, 83
Thank You for your friendship Sam! 💔#RIP💔 Harlem's Paris Blues Jazz Club has been a celebrated local music joint since 1969, playing live jazz and blues nightly. It's owner and manager, Mr. Samuel Hargress Jr., has been in the club nearly every day for the past 51 years. 💫🔥💫 pic.twitter.com/oSM9Cbzzdb
— B Michael (@bmichaelAmerica) April 15, 2020
63. Tarvaris Jackson, former NFL quarterback, 36
64. Chynna Marie Rogers, model turned rapper, 25
Rapper Chynna Rogers has passed away of an apparent overdose at the age of 25. We send our deepest condolences to her family and those affected by her passing. RIP 🕊 pic.twitter.com/nJ3FfVlkTv
— MEFeater Magazine (@mefeater) April 9, 2020
65. Ahmed Ismail Hussein, Somali singer, 92
BREAKING: One of Somalia's greatest artists has died in London after contracting Corona Virus. Ahmed Ismail Hussein "Hudeydi" known as the "King of Oud" has been in hospital for four days. He was 92. pic.twitter.com/iCii8vYVVv
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) April 8, 2020
66. Earl G. Graves, Sr., founder of Black Enterprise, 85
67. Bobby Mitchell, NFL player, 84
Remembering Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell. #RIP pic.twitter.com/Hl9zbIPbyi
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 6, 2020
68. Bill Withers, singer, 81
69. Ellis Marsalis Jr., legendary jazz pianist, 85
70. Wallace Roney, jazz trumpeter, 59
71. Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, civil right pioneer, 99
72. Emma Cooper-Harris, first African American Mayor of Anguilla, Mississippi
I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Emma Cooper-Harris. A community organizer at heart, Emma was a civil rights icon in Mississippi. Among her many roles, Emma was the first African American Mayor of Anguilla from 2001 until 2005. pic.twitter.com/VI8sa8lOHA
— Mike Espy (@MikeEspyMS) March 28, 2020
73. Fred "Curly" Neal, Harlem Globetrotters legend, 77
74. Rev. Darius L. Swann, civil rights activist, 95
The Rev. Darius L. Swann has died. He and his wife were lead plaintiffs in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, the 1971 Supreme Court case that upheld busing as a tool for desegregating schools.
Obituary via @harrisondsmith https://t.co/CQHtRyMmlq
— April D. Bethea (@AprilBethea) March 24, 2020
75. Airickca Gordon-Taylor, civil rights activist and Emmett Till's relative, 50
This clip will show you the giant heart of Airickca Gordon-Taylor (cousin of Emmett Till). Wherever other families lost loved ones to police violence, she came to support. This is April 4, 2018 in support of family of #JustusHowell, shot in back same day as Walter Scott RIPAGT pic.twitter.com/ltGyKMohmC
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) March 22, 2020
76. Manu Dibango, saxophonist, 86
77. Barbara C. Harris, Episcopal Bishop, 89
78. Roger Mayweather, boxing champion and trainer, 58
79. Josie Harris, former longtime girlfriend of Floyd Mayweather, 40
Josie Harris, who was Mayweather's longtime girlfriend, died Monday night, according to TMZ, which reported that the 40-year-old woman was found in her car at her home in the town of Valencia.https://t.co/kbLoHZTLOl
— NewsOne (@newsone) March 11, 2020
80. Barbara Neely, author, 78
We are deeply saddened to share the news that Barbara Neely passed away earlier this week. She was recently named the 2020 Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America & is best known as author of the groundbreaking Blanche White mystery series, which we are honored to publish. pic.twitter.com/tqwQkcYUbR
— Brash Books (@BrashBooks) March 8, 2020
81. Danny Tidwell, dancer, 35
A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall)
82. Sam "The Man" Burns, DC house music DJ, dies
Source:facebook	82 of 95
83. McCoy Tyner, legendary jazz pianist, 81
84. Katherine Johnson, 101
Our @NASA family is sad to learn the news that Katherine Johnson passed away this morning at 101 years old. She was an American hero and her pioneering legacy will never be forgotten. https://t.co/UPOqo0sLfb pic.twitter.com/AgtxRnA89h
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) February 24, 2020
85. B. Smith, 70
B. Smith, famed restaurateur, lifestyle maven and esteemed businesswoman, has died at age 70 after battling Alzheimer's disease. https://t.co/4Vz54NesOD
— NewsOne (@newsone) February 23, 2020
86. Pop Smoke, 20
87. Ja'Net DuBois, 74
88. Esther Scott, 66
89. Isadora Perkins-Boyd, 'Super-Centenarian,' 111
90. Nathaniel Jones, former federal judge, 93
A statement from Mayor John Cranley on the passing of former federal judge and civil rights leader Nathaniel Jones (photo credit: Cincinnati Enquirer) pic.twitter.com/bo2mOmRthK
— City of Cincinnati (@CityOfCincy) January 26, 2020
91. Kobe Bryant, NBA legend, 41
92. Jimmy Heath jazz saxophonist, 93
93. Yolanda Carr, mother of Atatiana Jefferson
Source:S. Lee Merritt	93 of 95
94. Roscoe Vance, journalist, 71
The Sports Task Force on the passing of Roscoe Nance, a sports journalism legend: pic.twitter.com/E1Pp8FybTM
— NABJSports (@NABJSports) January 10, 2020
95. Nick Gordon, ex-boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina, 30
Continue reading Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks We Lost In 2020
UPDATED: 4:50 p.m. ET, Dec. 31 -- While death is inevitably a part of life, that truth doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye to those who have died. They include a wide range of iconic and pioneering individuals who left indelible marks on the world through their respective careers, such as basketball star Kobe Bryant, Congressman John Lewis, mathematician Katherine Johnson actor Chadwick Boseman, rapper Pop Smoke, civil rights legend Rev. C.T. Vivian and entertainment mogul Andre Harrell. But there were also a number of notable Black folks who died this year and may not have enjoyed the same household-name status as the aforementioned but are still very deserving of being remembered for their contributions to the world, whether good or bad. Case and point: 2020 began tragically with the drug overdose death of Nick Gordon, who was most famous for his relationship with Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown. He was only 30. And now the year has ended with the death of Adolfo Quiñones, the hip-hop dancing pioneer better known as Shabba Doo, who died at the age of 65. His fellow choreographer Toni Basil tweeted the unfortunate news on Dec. 30. https://twitter.com/Toni_Basil/status/1344312445708300290?s=20 But it was only announced on Dec. 31 that legendary veteran rapper MF DOOM died earlier in the year. His wife eulogized him Thursday with a touching tribute on his still-active Instagram account. The masked rapper formerly known as Zev Love X from the 1990s rap group KMD was 49 years old when he died. His cause of death was not reported. Scroll down to learn more about MF DOOM's death. [caption id="attachment_4070491" align="alignnone" width="594"] Source: C Brandon / Getty[/caption] The announcement about MF DOOM followed the news that Joe Clark, the no-nonsense principal of a high school in New Jersey who gained notoriety for his bare-knuckles approach to education and was immortalized on the big screen in the Hollywood production, "Lean on Me," died Dec. 29 at the age of 82 following a long battle with an undisclosed illness. Charley Pride, who broke racial barriers on his way to becoming a pioneering Black country music singer, died Dec. 12 at the age of 86. The cause of his death was reported as complications from Covid-19. https://twitter.com/JayBobbin1/status/1337862884622290946?s=20 Actor Tommy "Tiny" Lister died Dec. 10 at the age of 62. Lister was most famously known for his notable role as "Deebo" in "Friday," where he re-imagined the trope of the neighborhood bully in modern comedies. Bruce Boynton, an important but often forgotten figure of the civil rights movement died from cancer on Nov. 23 at the age of 83. While enrolled at Howard University during his final year of law school Boynton was arrested in Richmond, Virginia after he refused to exit a "whites-only" section of a bus station restaurant. Boynton, along with his then-attorney, Thurgood Marshall, would go on to spark a series of events that eventually overturned the Jim Crow laws across the country and inspired the Freedom Riders movement. "There is a sadness. His was a tremendous life well lived. We're happy he's no longer in pain but I'm also amazed at his fight and his strength and that he continued to fight and write even after the initial diagnosis of cancer," his daughter Carver Boynton told AL.com. https://twitter.com/TheKingCenter/status/1331111245928402946?s=20 David Dinkins made history in 1989 when he was elected the first Black mayor of New York City, beating out running mate Rudy Giuliani. The beloved and respected politician died Nov. 23, at the age of 93, just one month after the death of his wife Joyce. Dinkins' pivotal election marked the first and last time a Black person held the highest local office in the Big Apple. Bishop Harry Jackson, an evangelical pastor who advised Donald Trump as a candidate and president, died Nov. 9. His cause of death was not immediately reported and it was unclear what his age was. The Washington Post described the senior pastor at Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland, in part as "a rare Trump supporter in the majority black, Democratic stronghold of Prince George's County." https://www.facebook.com/harryrjacksonjr/posts/3575884435803513 Jackson joined Trump in April to deliver an Easter blessing that was heavily focused on the coronavirus pandemic. He thanked Trump for his "insightful leadership" before going on to pray for "a mitigation of this plague, this disease. Let medical science come forth." He closed his prayer by asking God to "give this great man, our President, and give the Vice President wisdom beyond their natural limitations. Give them insights so they can cover us, lead us, and bless us." Prior to that, the sports world suffered back-to-back blows when baseball icon Lou Brock died on Sept. 6 just about a week after college basketball coaching legend John Thompson's death. Brock was 81 years old. ESPN reminded readers that "Brock retired in 1979 as the single-season and all-time leader in stolen bases" and "was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1985." Thompson died Aug. 31 at the age of 78. He first started coaching high school before Georgetown University hired him in 1972, ultimately going on to become the first Black head coach to win an NCAA championship when Georgetown beat the University of Houston in 1985. Read more about his life here. Days earlier, actor Chadwick Boseman died after a years-long battle with colon cancer. He died on Aug. 28 at the age of 43. Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has died following a brief battle with the coronavirus. He died on July 30 at the age of 74. Cain, who was also the former chair of the Kansas City Federal Reserve as well as the one-time chief executive of the Godfather's Pizza chain, was a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump. He may have contracted the coronavirus after attending a heavily attended rally for Trump without wearing a mask. [caption id="attachment_3986777" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: NICHOLAS KAMM / Getty[/caption] Cain's death occurred on the same day that Georgia Rep. John Lewis, the iconic civil rights pioneer who went on to become one of the most powerful men in Congress, was being buried in Atlanta. Lewis died on July 17 at the age of 80 following a battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer that he announced late last year. You can read more about his legendary life by clicking here. https://twitter.com/tvonetv/status/1284331852996775938?s=20 Jas Waters, a television writer also known as "JasFly" who penned scripts for hit shows like "This Is Us," has died, according to reports. She was just 39 years old. Waters' death was confirmed by the verified Twitter account for "This Is Us," which tweeted on June 10 that "The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing. In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP." Waters' cause of death was not announced. https://twitter.com/ThisIsUsWriters/status/1270819673416716293?s=20 Betty Wright, the award-winning R&B soul singer whose signature song went on to become a sampling standard in hip-hop music, died May 9. She was 66 years old. Wright, whose cause of death was not immediately reported, had a career that spanned decades and evolved from its gospel roots to rhythm and blues to pop, the latter of which won her a pair of Grammy Awards. https://twitter.com/SonAndPop/status/1259509570390634498?s=20 As Bossip noted, Wright's hit song from 1971, "Clean Up Woman," has been sampled in music by contemporary artists ranging from Mary J Blige to Beyonce and still stands the test of time as a classic song in its own right. Wright's death came after several other celebrated members of the Black music community also recently died. Legendary rock n' roll pioneer Little Richard died May 9 at the age of 87. The reports of his death followed that of iconic hip-hop executive Andre Harrell, who discovered Sean "Diddy" Combs. Harrell was 59 and died May 8. Another of the most recent deaths reported was for legendary soul singer Bill Withers. He was 81 years old. Katherine Johnson, the pioneering "Hidden Figures" NASA mathematician, died Feb. 24 at 101 years old. "She was an American hero and her pioneering legacy will never be forgotten," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine wrote in a tweet when announcing her death. https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1231946829962584065 B. Smith, the restaurateur, lifestyle maven and esteemed businesswoman, died in February, according to her husband, Dan Gasby, who announced the news of his wife's passing in a Facebook post. "It is with great sadness that my daughter Dana and I announce the passing of my wife, Barbara Elaine Smith," he wrote. "B. died peacefully Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 10:50 pm, of Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in our home in Long Island, New York. She was 70." https://www.facebook.com/100000189921296/posts/3575437569139205/ Actress Ja'Net DuBois, who played the role of Willona Woods on "Good Times," died Feb. 18 at the age of 74. DuBois reportedly unexpectedly died in her sleep while at her Glendale, California home. https://twitter.com/newsone/status/1230280909368127488?s=20 Scroll down and join us as we commemorate some more notable Black folks who died in 2020 and pay homage to their contributions in life that will live on well after their deaths. SEE MORE: Notable Deaths 2019 Notable Deaths 2018 Notable Deaths 2017
David Dinkins, First Black Mayor Of New York City, Dies At 93 was originally published on newsone.com
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