Cicely Tyson, the stage, screen, and television actress whose vivid portrayals of strong African-American women shattered racial stereotypes in the dramatic arts of the 1970s, propelling her to stardom and fame as an exemplar for civil rights, died on Thursday. She was 96. Her death was announced by her longtime manager, Larry Thompson, who provided no other details. In a remarkable career of seven decades, Ms. Tyson broke ground for serious Black actors by refusing to take p

Betty Wright, whose hits include “No Pain, (No Gain)” and “Tonight Is the Night,” has died. She was 66. News of her death was shared on Sunday morning by her niece. “I just lost my aunt this morning.... and now my mood has changed.... sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright,” she wrote on Twitter. “Fly high angel.” Reflecting on the kindness Wright showed her over the years, her niece also expressed regret at not being able to pay her one last visit. “My auntie was a legend.... she

Little Richard, one of the pioneers of the first wave of rock’n’roll, has died. He was 87. Richard – whose real name was Richard Penniman – had been in poor health for several years, suffering hip problems, a stroke, and a heart attack. Rolling Stone magazine said Richard’s son, Danny Penniman, “confirmed the pioneer’s death … but said the cause of death was unknown”. In a post on Instagram, band member Kelvin Holly said: “Rest in peace, Richard. This one really stings. My th

Jackie Robinson knew from the start that his quest was bigger than baseball. Baseball was his vehicle -- proudly so. There are a handful of moments that define America's modern civil rights movement, and Robinson stepping onto a baseball field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, is among them. That moment was a groundbreaking one for this country. Robinson broke baseball's color line, and from there, the United States would be changed forever. This Thursday would have

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team will retire the late Moses Malone’s No. 2 in a special halftime ceremony on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 when the 76ers host the Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. on ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia and 97.5 The Fanatic. Prior to the game, the 76ers will unveil a Malone sculpture on “76ers Legends Walk” at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. All fans in attendance at the 76ers-Nuggets game will receive a li

NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, one of rap's greatest voices and also a songwriter and producer who has crafted songs for Beyonce and Whitney Houston, is one of the nominees for the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Elliott is the first female rapper nominated for the prestigious prize and could also become the third rapper to enter the organization following recent inductees Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri. The Songwriters Hall gave The Associated Press the list of nominees Wednesday,

American poet, Ntozake Shange, best known for her Obie Award-winning play for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, passed away on the morning of Saturday, October 27, 2018. She was 70. According to a tweet from her family, the feminist and playwright died “peacefully in her sleep.” “To our extended family and friends, it is with sorrow that we inform you that our loved one, Ntozake Shange, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morni

(CNN) Aretha Franklin, whose gospel-rooted singing and bluesy yet expansive delivery earned her the title "the Queen of Soul," has died, a source close to the family said Thursday. She was 76. Franklin died at her home surrounded by family and friends, the source said. Her death comes three days after a source close to Franklin told CNN's Don Lemon that the singer was in hospice care. Franklin had been reported to be in failing health for years and appeared frail in recent ph