Angela Stribling, Pioneering BET Host & Radio Personality, Dies at 58

Angela Stribling, a veteran broadcaster and jazz singer who pioneered BET’s jazz coverage in the 1990s, has died. She was 58.

Stribling’s husband, Ken Washington, confirmed the passing on Instagram, revealing that his wife died on Saturday (September 26) after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

“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,” he wrote in a statement.

Washington noted that he and his wife’s sister, Darlene, were by her side when she passed. “Angela leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, kindness, inspiration, and a voice and spirit that will never be forgotten,” he continued. “A celebration of life will be held in Washington DC, date and venue to be announced.”

Longtime journalist Ed Gordon, who worked with Stribling at BET, also shared a statement on Facebook on Sunday (September 27). “So very sad to hear Angela Stribling has passed away,” he wrote. “We worked together and became friends during our years at the network and remained friends once we both moved on to other opportunities.”

“During our last conversation, she told me that she and her husband would be spending more time in D.C. after being out west for a number of years,” he added. “My prayers and best go out to him and her other loved ones. She was a sweet soul, RIP.”

Born in Buffalo, New York, Stribling attended the Fashion Institute of Technology before moving to D.C. to pursue a career that “involved [her] voice,” she told Copa Style Magazine.

“I’m a jazz singer first. It has always been my passion,” she told the outlet. “However, my broadcast career is also such an integral part of who I am. I’m excited every chance I get to perform on stage, share the spotlight on other artists, and talk about it all on radio and television.”

Her big break came in the 1990s when she joined BET, hosting the entertainment news show “Screen Scene” and later “Jazz Central,” along with other programs. She continued her hosting work across radio and television, including stints at WJZ-TV and WJLA-TV. Stribling also made a cameo in the 1992 Eddie Murphy movie The Distinguished Gentlemen.

Over the course of her career, Stribling interviewed many big-name stars, including Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, 50 Cent, and even former president Bill Clinton.

Most recently, she hosted the late-night radio show “Pillow Talk with Angela,” which aired on WHUR and Sirius XM. She also made an appearance on Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Potomac in 2020.

Stribling commented on her “challenging” health battles last October in a birthday post. “Happy Birthday to Me! I’m grateful to God for another year of LIFE! Actually, I’m grateful for every single moment!” she wrote on Facebook.

She continued, “This past year was the most challenging I’ve experienced in my lifetime! On many levels! But, especially a surprising health challenge! Through the grace of God, I’ve survived it and ready to embrace all that He has in store for me! Now, I have every reason to celebrate! I’m grateful for all the love I have in my life! Happy Birthday to me!”