Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2025

Source: Reach Media / Urban One

UPDATED: 8:00 pm EST June 6, 2025

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day even, death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. Still, as much of a fact as that may be, the blow of experiencing loss never gets any easier, nor does reporting on the subject in Black culture.

Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the R&B group Atlantic Starr, passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 68. His passing was confirmed on the group’s Instagram page. The cause of death is not known at this time.

Formed in 1976 in White Plains, New York, Atlantic Starr gained fame for their masterful blend of soulful harmonies and romantic ballads, leaving an indelible mark on R&B and pop music. One of their most renowned achievements came in the 1980s, dominated by releases like “Secret Lovers”, “Always”, and “Touch a Four-Leaf Clover”. The romantic single “Always” became a global sensation, earning the group a top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. Throughout their career, the group balanced tender love ballads with upbeat, funk-infused tracks, appealing to a wide audience.

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Learn more below about who in our culture has passed away so far this year in 2025 Below