Those We Lost — August 25

Honoring those we lost on August 25 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

William Greaves

Full name: William Garfield Greaves

Born Oct 8, 1926 — died Aug 25, 2014

Documentary filmmaker, actor, producer, writer, editor, and pioneering television journalist.

Greaves produced more than 200 documentaries and helped establish Black Journal as a groundbreaking national television forum for Black life and politics. Films including Symbiopsychotaxiplasm and Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey expanded documentary form while preserving Black history with independence and intellectual rigor.

Mable John

Born Nov 3, 1930 — died Aug 25, 2022

Blues, R&B, soul, and gospel singer; minister; and Motown recording pioneer.

John became the first woman solo artist signed to Berry Gordy’s Tamla label before recording for Stax and singing with Ray Charles’s Raelettes. Her resilient voice carried Detroit, Memphis, blues, soul, and gospel traditions across six decades, while her ministry and outreach extended that service beyond music.

Tom Feelings

Born May 19, 1933 — died Aug 25, 2003

Artist, author, cartoonist, educator, activist, and children’s-book illustrator.

Feelings centered Black children, families, history, and African culture in award-winning books including To Be a Slave, Jambo Means Hello, and The Middle Passage. His images gave young readers beauty and recognition while confronting slavery and diaspora history with emotional and visual power.

Kevin Duckworth

Born Apr 1, 1964 — died Aug 25, 2008

NBA center, two-time All-Star, Portland Trail Blazers favorite, and community ambassador.

Duckworth became a key member of Portland teams that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, earning two All-Star selections through strength, touch, and persistence. He remained closely connected to fans and was helping host a free youth basketball clinic when he died.

Aaliyah

Birth name: Aaliyah Dana Haughton

Born Jan 16, 1979 — died Aug 25, 2001

Singer, dancer, actor, model, and influential voice in contemporary R&B.

Aaliyah’s understated vocals, precise rhythms, and collaborations with Timbaland and Missy Elliott helped reshape R&B through albums including One in a Million and Aaliyah. Her music, fashion, videos, and screen presence created a futuristic cool that continues to influence artists across generations.