Sr Jamie T. Phelps, leading light of the Black Catholic Movement, dead at 84
The 64-year member of the Adrian Dominicans was instrumental in numerous African-American Catholic organizations and was a noted scholar-teacher.
Obituary
Veronica Downs-Dorsey, esteemed Black Catholic musician and educator, laid to rest in New Orleans
The internationally known pianist, singer, and educator died on the Feast of St. Martin de Porres after more than 55 years of ministry.
Setti Warren, first Black mayor elected in Massachusetts, laid to rest in Newton
The devout Black Catholic—a lifelong public servant, Navy veteran, and Harvard official—died suddenly earlier this month at 55 years old.
Michael Days, leading Black journalist and mentor in Philadelphia, dead at 72
The veteran media executive was the first Black top editor at the Philadelphia Daily News and was well-known for promoting media diversity.
Assata Shakur, famed Black revolutionary and erstwhile political prisoner, dead at 78
The African-American Catholic convert was convicted on trumped-up murder charges in 1977 following a N.J. shootout, before escaping prison to Cuba.
George Raveling, spark behind 1984 Jordan-Nike deal, dead at 88
The D.C.-born Black Catholic was the first Black head coach in the Pac-8 Conference and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Joseph McNeil, civil rights pioneer and member of the Greensboro Four, dead at 83
The Catholic-raised activist later served in the Air Force and was the recipient of numerous honors for his work in sparking the sit-in movement.
Charles Prejean Sr., activist and Black Catholic leader, laid to rest in Atlanta
The Louisiana native was a force in the cooperative movement and addressing Black land loss, before transitioning to chancery ministry in Atlanta.
Bill Clay Sr., first Black congressperson from Missouri, dead at 94
The Catholic legislator broke barriers with his fierce advocacy and legislative skills, and was a cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Dr. Frank B. Wilderson Jr., pioneering Black psychologist and education researcher, dead at 94
The retired Catholic educator was the first tenured Black professor at the University of Minnesota and the school's first Black vice president.
Charles Rangel, trailblazing Black congressional voice, dead at 94
The Harlem activist was the first Black chair of the House Ways and Means Committee before an unceremonious exit after facing ethics charges.
Lillian Boutté, international jazz and gospel singer, dead at 75
The Black Catholic musician from New Orleans recorded albums across continents and genres and starred Off-Broadway during a six-decade career.
Charlene Roberts-Hayden, pioneering computer scientist and Black Catholic official, dead at 86
The Massachusetts native helped popularize a formerly top-secret coding language and later led the Black Catholic office in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Fr Jeff Harvey, acclaimed Vincentian professor and preacher, dead at 61
The Los Angeles native spent more than three decades as a parish priest and seminary professor in the United States and Oceania.
Alexis Herman, from Jim Crow to first Black labor secretary, dead at 77
The White House pioneer from Alabama made inroads for inclusion in the national workforce and served as a high-ranking Democratic Party official.
Pope Francis, Latin American pontiff of the poor, dead at 88
The globe-trotting Argentinian prelate was a force in the Catholic Church, to which he dedicated seven decades as a student, shepherd, and servant.