The phenomenal, multi-talented pianist, singer, actress and activist Abbey Lincoln passed away at the age of 80 years old. Known in her later years for her Civil Rights activism, she was often compared to another firebrand jazz artist, Nina Simone. Abbey Lincoln, however, did not start as a musician or singer. Her talents were first noticed by the Black press as a fashion model who graced Black

The beautiful and talented actress Vonetta McGee passed away on July 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California, after being in a coma for two days due to a heart condition. Diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease while in her teens, the actress persevered and thrive in spite of the disease, which was not the cause of her death. Despite her many appearances in film and television, she will probably

Originally airing in 1986, NPR's Terry Gross interviews Gail Lumet Buckley, Lena Horne's daughter. The interview gives more insight into Lena Horne's family history. According to the late-Lena Horne's daughter (listen to the NPR podcast below --you may have to wait for it to load): "She was Walter White and Paul Robeson's test case," explained Buckley. "She was a test case for the NAACP

Screen legend, activist and entertainer Lena Horne passed away on Mother's Day, May 9, 2010, in Manhattan, at the age of 92. Ms. Horne was a force of nature who blazed trails for Black women in film and entertainment. Better known for her early films like "Stormy Weather," Vincent Minelli's "Cabin in the Sky," "The Duke is Tops," and, she was continually an active fixture in

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="280" caption="Celebrity make-up artist Roxanne Floyd"][/caption] Amber Magazine reported that make-up artist to the stars, Roxanne Floyd, passed away from unknown causes on January 28, 2010. Ms. Floyd was well known for her amazing make-up work on African American actresses, singers and models, and helped to usher in the eyebrow-trend, especially among women-of-color. Unlike most make-up artists, Ms. Floyd did not find (and mix) colors

Over the weekend, TV actress Samaria Graham delivered some sad news that actress Alaina Reed Hall passed away. Mrs. Hall played Ms. Graham's TV mother on the hit television series "Blossom." Mrs. Reed --a stage, film and television actress-- was well known for her roles on "Sesame Street" (as Gordon's little sister, the photographer), and her recurring roles on "227" and "Cleghorne." Mrs. Hall was 66

Eartha Kitt, Dancer, Vocalist, Performer & Activist - December 25, 2008 Odetta, Folk and Blues Singer, and Activist - December 2, 2008 Miriam Makeba, Singer, Actress & Activist - November 10, 2008 Ave Montague, Director of the SF Black Film Festival - January 23, 2009 Marpessa Dawn, Actress and Performer - August 25, 2008 Tamara Dobson, Actress - October 5, 2006 Beah Richards, Actress - September 16, 2000

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2009 CONTACT: avemontaguelegacy@ gmail.com Memorial Service to Honor the Life of AVE MONTAGUE Saturday, February 21, 2009 | 12:00 noon West Bay Conference Center 1290 Fillmore Street , San Francisco , CA San Francisco arts publicist and presenter Ave Montague, founder of The San Francisco Black Film Festival and Ave Montague and Associates Died of natural causes January 24, 2009. She was 64. SAN FRANCISCO – Film stars and jazz

I don't know how I missed this obituary, especially considering that BLACK ORPHEUS is one of my all time favorite films! The beautiful, and exquisite Marpessa Dawn passed away of a heart attack last August (August 25, 2008) in her home, in Paris, France. A magnificent, multilingual actress, Ms. Dawn played the lead role of Eurydice in Marcel Camus' film, BLACK ORPHEUS. Unusual for its time because

[caption id="attachment_243" align="aligncenter" width="246" caption=""Just because you are different does not mean that you have to be rejected." --Eartha Kitt"][/caption] The incredible Eartha Kitt passed away due to colon cancer on December 25, 2008, in New York City. Ms. Kitt was an "acquired taste" for many who couldn't reconcile her personal roots with the persona she carefully developed. She feigned an indescribable accent that many in the