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Reflecting on Lives Lost - From renowned cultural icons to internationally acclaimed athletes, here’s a look at the illustrious African-American figures the world lost in 2014. Keep reading to learn about their legacies and how they touched the lives of many. — Patrice Peck(Photos from Left: Ken Charnock/Getty Images, Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Lifetime, Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images)

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Ruby Dee - Legendary screen and stage actress and activist Ruby Dee died at 91 on June 11. She passed away in her home in New Rochelle, N.Y., surrounded by loved ones. The Emmy winner and civil rights leader was a pioneer in Black Hollywood.(Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images)

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Amiri Baraka - On Jan. 9, the great American writer, activist and cultural critic Amiri Baraka passed away at 79 in Newark, N.J. The prominent literary figure had been suffering failing health for a while, according to a family spokesperson. Baraka's controversial poems and plays about the Black experience in America were as illuminating as they were incendiary. (Photo: Julian C. Wilson/AP Photo, File)

Photo By Julian C. Wilson/AP Photo

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Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter - Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the former boxer who inspired Denzel Washington's 1999 film Hurricane, succumbed to a battle with prostate cancer at 76 on April 20. While Carter was 27-12-1 with 19 knockouts, he became an international figure after he was wrongfully convicted twice for three murders in 1966. He spent 19 years in prison before being freed in 1985 amid public outcries of racial injustice. Subsequently, Carter committed many years to advocating for wrongfully convicted prisoners.(Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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Maya Angelou - The world continues to mourn the death of Dr. Maya Angelou, who passed away on May 28. A literary giant and civil rights legend, Angelou had reportedly been battling unspecified health problems for several years. Nonetheless, as her son Guy Johnson noted at her funeral, Angelou still wrote four books during the last 10 years of her life: "She left this mortal plane with no loss of acuity and no loss in comprehension." Her esteemed body of work includes I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'for I Diiie.(Photo: Martin Godwin/Getty Images)

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Frankie Knuckles - Dubbed the "Godfather of House," Frankie Knuckles, 59, reportedly died from complications brought on by Type II diabetes on March 31. Born in 1959, the Grammy Award-winning pioneer launched his DJ career while spinning soul, disco and R&B music at popular clubs in New York City and later Chicago. Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson tweeted, "jesus man. Frankie Knuckles was so under-appreciated. he was the dj that dj's inspired to be. true dance pioneer."(Photo: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

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DJ Rashad - On April 26, Chicago house music icon DJ Rashad Harden was found unresponsive in a Chicago apartment by a friend. An autopsy report later determined that the producer and Footwork legend had died of an accidental drug overdose. Heroine, cocaine and Xanax were found in the 34-year-old's system.(Photo: Backspin Promotions)

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Meshach Taylor - After a long battle with cancer, Designing Women actor Meshach Taylor passed away at 67 on June 28. The Emmy-nominated performer is also known for his role in the 1989 cult classic film Mannequin and other hit series, including Hannah Montana and The Drew Carey Show.(Photo: WENN)

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Alice Coachman - Alice Coachman, the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, died on July 14 in south Georgia. The barrier-breaking former track star was 90. "What Coachman did most of all was inspire the next generation of Black women," wrote BET.com's Justice B. Hill. "She showed what each of them could accomplish if they didn’t allow others to dictate their lives."(Photo: AP Photo, File)

Photo By AP Photo

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Rodney 'DJ E-Z Rock' Bryce - Rodney 'DJ E-Z Rock' Bryce, of "It Takes Two" fame, died at age 46 on April 27. The cause of death was not disclosed. As one-half of the hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, the performer achieved critical acclaim with their above mentioned single and "Joy and Pain." The duo also released three albums, two of which achieved platinum and gold status, respectively, and another hit single. "R.I.P. to EZ Rock from Rob Base and EZ Rock," tweeted Biz Markie, who broke the news. "You will truly be missed."(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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Nicky Da B - At 24, rising star Nicky Da B died on Sept. 2 from complications related to an undisclosed illness. The New Orleans Bounce music rapper was best known for his feature on the Diplo-produced hit single "Express Yourself." "We're saddened by his loss. The Bounce community will miss him," Big Freedia told the Times-Picayune. "He was a phenomenal new sound for us, and he would have been going places."(Photo: Clayton Cubitt via YouTube.com)

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DJ Father Shaheed  - DJ Father Shaheed, of the hip hop collective Poor Righteous Teachers, best known for the 1990 track "Rock Dis Funky Joint," died in a motorcycle accident on May 26. Born Scott Phillips, the 45-year-old was killed on impact after he slammed into a tree on a New York highway.(Photo: BMG Records)

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Bobby Womack - On June 27, legendary soul singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Womack died at 70. Womack rose to fame as a member of Curtis Womack and the Womack Brothers — and later the Valentinos — with his brothers Curtis, Harry, Cecil and Friendly. As a solo artist, Womack's career spanned almost six decades and included collaborations with Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan and Sly Stone, among others.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Tony Gwynn - Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn lost a four-year battle with cancer on June 16, passing away at 54. Considered one of the greatest Major League Baseball hitters of all time, Gwynn is survived by his wife Alicia, daughter Anisha Nicole and son, Tony Gwynn Jr., an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Wayne Pharr - Wayne Pharr, an original Los Angeles Black Panther member, died from cancer on Sept. 6. He detailed his experiences in the organization — including a historic gun fight in 1969 with the LAPD — in the autobiography Nine Lives of a Black Panther: A Survival Story. (Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

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Geoffrey Holder - Tony Award-winning director, actor, painter and choreographer Geoffrey Holder died on Oct. 5 of complications of pneumonia in New York. The Trinidadian-American multi-talented performer was 84. His extensive list of accomplishments include leading the The Wiz to Broadway and playing a scary villain in the James Bond film Live and Let Die.(Photo: Tina Fineberg, File/AP Photo)

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Juanita Moore - Academy-Award nominee Juanita Moore died Jan. 1 at her home in Los Angeles. The groundbreaking actress is best known for her role as Annie Johnson in the 1959 classic Imitation of Life. Moore, who was 99, collapsed, according to her grandson Kirk Kahn. “She gave back to the community in so many ways,” said Kahn. “Wherever we went she stopped and told Black boys and girls they could do anything with their lives.”(Photo: AP Photo, file)

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Big Bank Hank - Big Bank Hank of Sugarhill Gang passed away on Nov. 11 after a battle with cancer. The emcee was a member of the group credited with mainstreaming hip hop with their 1979 breakout song "Rapper's Delight." "So sad to hear of our brother's passing. Rest in peace Big Bank," his group mates Wonder Mike and Mister Gee told TMZ.(Photo: David Becker/Getty Images)

Photo By David Becker/Getty Images

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Jimmy Ruffin - Motown star Jimmy Ruffin, best known for the single "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," died at age 78 in Las Vegas on Nov. 17. "Jimmy Ruffin was a rare type of man who left his mark on the music industry," his children said in a statement. "My family in its entirety is extremely upset over his death. He will truly be missed. We will treasure the many fond and wonderful memories we all have of him."(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Marion Barry - Former Washington, D.C, Mayor and Council member Marion Barry collapsed and died outside of his home on Nov. 23. The 78-year-old had been struggling with a history of health problems, which included prostate cancer, a kidney transplant and diabetes. "During his storied life and career, he created programs that improved the lives of of residents and helped businesses to succeed, earning respect and admiration," said Chairman and CEO of BET Networks Debra L. Lee. "He leaves a legacy of commitment, service and dedication to making Washington a better place."(Photo: Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times /Landov)

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Lonnie Lynn - Lonnie Lynn, a former Denver Rockets basketball player and the father of rapper Common, died at 71 on Sept. 15. The cause of his death was unspecified. "He was truly a natural poet and master of words. His personality and soul shined through his work," Common said of his late father. (Photo: Karl Gehring/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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Jonathan P. Hicks - BET.com senior correspondent Jonathan P. Hicks lost a battle with pancreatic cancer on Nov. 2. With more than 30 years of experience, the 58-year-old journalism veteran continuously championed the importance of the African-American community through thought-provoking articles and columns. Prior to joining BET, Hicks served as a research fellow at the DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy, a columnist for the New York Amsterdam News and a reporter at the New York Times, where he covered big business and New York politics.(Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Hicks)

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Orlando Thomas - Orlando Thomas, a 42-year-old former NFL safety of the Minnesota Vikings, died on Nov. 9. He had been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. "Nobody's ever fought a battle like Orlando fought, with so much dignity — I never saw anything like it," his agent Mark Bartelstein said. "It's just incredible. He never had a sense of self pity, never felt sorry for himself, he was always worried about everyone else. He was just the most incredible person I've ever been around."(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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Gerard Wilson - Jazz legend Gerard Wilson passed away from pneumonia at 96 on Sept. 8 in his Los Angeles home. The six-time Grammy nominee played, composed and arranged music for fellow jazz and blues greats, such as Count Basie, Dizzy Gillepsie, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn and many more.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Kamara James - Jamaican-born Olympic fencer Kamara James was found dead in her apartment at age 29 on Sept. 20. The young athlete and Princeton graduate suffered from schizophrenia. "The only positive thing that came out of this for me is maybe people who have this kind of problem can see that there is some potential solution," said Eric Rosenberg, a one-time trainer and friend of James. "Making opportunities in the midst of tragedy defined her life." (Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Olympic Committee)

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Simone Battle - The Sept. 5 death of Simone Battle, an X Factor alum and member of the girl group G.R.L, was ruled a suicide by hanging. The 25-year-old singer was found dead in her West Hollywood home. "Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Simone's incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart," the G.R.L. members said on the their official Twitter account. "We will carry her memory with us in everything we do."(Photo: Casey Curry/Invision/AP, File)

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J. California Cooper - Accomplished writer and playwright J. California Cooper died at age 82 on Sept. 20. She reportedly passed away gently beside her daughter Paris Williams in her Seattle home. The California native was named Black Playwright of the Year in 1978 and published 17 plays.(Photo: Courtesy Art Sanctuary)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Art Sanctuary

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Joe Sample - On Sept. 12, Joe Sample, a founding member and of the genre-crossing Jazz Crusaders, died at age 75 due to lung cancer complications. The keyboardist-composer and his group helped pioneer the electronic jazz-funk fusion style. Younger generations might recognize Sample's work in Tupac's "Dear Mama," which sampled his 1978 track "In My Wildest Dreams." He also contributed his keyboard work to a host of influential performers, including B.B. King, Tina Turner, Anita Baker, Marvin Gaye and Lalah Hathaway.(Photo: Martial Trezzini, File/KEYSTONE/AP Photo)

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Domineque Banks - Natural hair YouTube vlogger Domineque Banks lost a battle with lupus on April 9. The 27-year-old started documenting her hair journey in 2004, encouraging her subscribers with tips and advice she learned along the way.(Photo: Courtesy of Domineque Banks via youtube)

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Joanne Borgella - Joanne Borgella, a former American Idol contestant and reality television star, passed away on Oct. 18. In 2013, the 32-year-old Curvy Girls star was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer of the womb. "I still don't want to believe it,"wrote Borgella's friend and fellow plus-sized model Denise Bidot on Facebook. "I remember all the laughs and tears. Joanne you were an amazing woman and I will always cherish the moments we had. I hope you are up in heaven singing your heart out."(Photo: WENN)

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A.J. Cooper - A familiar face to many African-Americans of his generation, 34-year-old A.J. Cooper II died suddenly on Dec. 3 at his mother's home after complaining of dizziness and chest pains. The aspiring D.C. politician served as a host on BET's Teen Summit during his high school and college years. “He loved the city, and he loved serving the people in the city, from the elderly to the young,” Cooper’s aunt told the Washington Post. “Jay was just on the verge of bursting forth.”(Photo: AJ Cooper III via Twitter)

Photo By AJ Cooper III via Twitter

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Titi Branch - Titi Branch, of the sister-duo that founded beauty brand Miss Jessie's, died of an apparent suicide on Dec. 4 at 45, New York Magazine reported. In 2004, Titi and her hairdresser sister Miko launched one of the first contemporary haircare lines catering to African-American women's natural hair textures.(Photo: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)

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Ike Jones - Veteran film producer Ike Jones died at 84 on Oct. 5 after suffering a stroke months earlier and congestive heart failure. An icon behind-the-scenes of Black Hollywood, Jones became the first Black producer to have his name on an A-list film when he worked on Sammy Davis Jr. and Louis Armstrong's A Man Called Adam. His personal life was also of interest to the public once Jones revealed that he had been in a secret marriage with Sweish-born actress Inger Stevens.(Photo: Trace-Mark Productions)

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Comer Cottrell - Black haircare entrepreneur Comer Cottrell passed away in his Texas home on Oct. 3 at 82. In the '70s, he founded the popular Pro-Line products, which eventually brought the once-expensive Jheri curl hair service to the masses thanks to the iconic Curly Kit. "We looked at the curl process," Cottrell told the Dallas Observer in 1996, "and saw it really was a simple process and people could do it themselves. It was no secret.”(Photo: Pro-Line)

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Miss Sharon - On Dec. 2, the mother of Todd Tucker, Kandi Burruss's husband, succumbed to a fatal stroke in New York City. Miss Sharon was best known for her lively encounters with her son's mother-in-law on Real Housewives of Atlanta. "Today I lost my partner, my ride or die my best friend!" Tucker said on Instagram, captioning a photograph of him and his mother together. "I don't know what to do? I'm lost! My heart hurts so much! She was a fighter, a warrior for her son! It was me and her against the world! She's in a better place!! Mom I love you to death! Rest in peace!"(Photo: Todd Tucker via Instagram)

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Doris Rowland-Garrison - Kelly Rowland's mother Doris Rowland-Garrison died at 66 after suffering from a longtime health issue. "She was an incredible soul who made countless sacrifices so that I could become the woman — and now mother — I am today," said Rowland in a statement released by her publicist. (Photo: Kelly Rowland via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Kelly Rowland via Instagram