Those We Lost — September 30

Honoring those we lost on September 30 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

George Kirby

Born June 8, 1924 — died September 30, 1995

Comedian, impressionist, and singer.

One of the first Black comics to cross over to mainstream television, Kirby graced the Ed Sullivan stage and hosted his own variety show, his flawless impressions — from John Wayne to Ella Fitzgerald — proving Black comedy belonged in every American living room.

Moneta Sleet Jr.

Born February 14, 1926 — died September 30, 1996

Photographer and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Sleet documented the civil rights movement for Ebony and Jet from Montgomery to Memphis, and his photograph of Coretta Scott King cradling her daughter at Dr. King’s funeral won the Pulitzer Prize — the first awarded to a Black man. He gave the movement its family album.

Jessye Norman

Born September 15, 1945 — died September 30, 2019

Operatic soprano.

One of the great voices of the twentieth century carried spirituals into the world’s grandest halls, earned five Grammys and the Kennedy Center Honors, and built an arts school for the children of her hometown of Augusta, Georgia. She died fifteen days after her seventy-fourth birthday.

Dikembe Mutombo

Full name: Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo

Born June 25, 1966 — died September 30, 2024

NBA Hall of Famer and global humanitarian.

The four-time Defensive Player of the Year made the finger wag basketball’s most beloved warning, then built a hospital in Kinshasa that has treated hundreds of thousands as the NBA’s first global ambassador. Not in his house — but everyone was welcome in his hospital.