2008 Deaths
Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.
Ray Tamarra , Getty
Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.
AP
Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008
Reuters
Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.
Reuters
Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.
AP
Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.
Getty
George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Getty Images
Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.
Getty Images
Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.
Corbis
Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.
Corbis
Moments Remembered
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Novemeber 1-7, 2009
This week, Barack Obama became the first African
American president, fufilling the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. Learn more black facts and meet more African American history makers from the fields of art, politics, business and more.
This Week in Black History
Notable Quotes
AP
- Oprah
"A person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."
emeagwali.com
- Philip Emeagwali
"If ideas are capital, why is Africa investing more on the military than on education?"
AP
- John H. Johnson
"Make small goals ... accomplish them, it gives you the confidence to go on to higher goals."
WireImage.com
- Cathy Hughes
"I think the war is terrible, and I think President Bush lied. Outright lied."
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Movies of the Month
Today's Black History Poll
Black Icons, Unscripted
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