TV presenter Angela Stribling has died aged 58 following a two-year battle with brain cancer. The pioneering broadcaster, radio host and jazz singer passed away peacefully at home on Saturday (September 26), her husband Ken Washington announced.
Husband's tribute
Ken shared the news in a statement on Instagram, writing: "It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved wife, Angela Marie Stribling, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 26, after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer.
"Her sister Darlene and I were by her side. Angela touched so many lives in such a beautiful way. But beyond that beautiful voice was an even more beautiful soul and spirit."
Ken continued: "Angela always saw the goodness in people. Where others saw challenges, she saw possibilities, and she had a remarkable gift for bringing out the very best in everyone around her.
"We were married for four wonderful years, and she changed my life for the better in every possible way."
Ken added that Angela "leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, kindness, inspiration, and a voice and spirit that will never be forgotten".
Career at BET
Angela was best known for her work with Black Entertainment Television (BET), where she became one of the network's pioneering on-air personalities. She spent four years hosting BET's entertainment news programme Screen Scene, interviewing some of the biggest names in entertainment including former US President Bill Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Janet Jackson and 50 Cent.
Angela also played a key role in BET's expansion into jazz programming, helping launch BET Jazz. She went on to host Jazz Central alongside jazz legends Ramsey Lewis and Lou Rawls, as well as BET Jazz Discovery and BET Jazz Scene.
Radio and beyond
Away from television, Angela became a familiar voice on Washington, D.C. radio. She hosted Pillow Talk with Angela, a late-night programme on WHUR which focused on relationships, conversation and music and was also heard on SiriusXM.
Angela's career began in Washington, where she worked as a news intern at WTTG-TV and at WOL-AM before joining WHUR. She was also a classically trained jazz vocalist and performed across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Angela also had a number of acting credits, including a cameo as a television anchor in Eddie Murphy's 1992 film The Distinguished Gentleman.
Tributes
Tributes flooded in following news of Angela's death, with former BET colleague and veteran journalist Ed Gordon describing her as "a sweet soul" as he reflected on the years they spent working together.
"So very sad to hear Angela Stribling has passed away. We worked together and became friends during our years at the network and remained friends once we both moved on to other opportunities," Gordon wrote.
"During our last conversation, she told me that she and her husband would be spending more time in DC after being out west for a number of years. My prayers and best go out to him and her other loved ones."
WHUR general manager Sean Plater said Angela was a "remarkable talent" whose "voice was beautiful, her presence was calming, and her spirit was genuine". He added: "She had a way of making people feel welcome and valued, and that gift extended far beyond the radio."
A celebration of life for Angela will be held in Washington, D.C., with the date and venue yet to be announced.
