The world lost a lot of notable people this year, and it feels as if they're departing even more quickly as the year runs out. Activist/humanitarian Dick Gregory, actress/singer Della Reese, musicians Fats Domino, Al Jarreau, Geri Allen and Dave Valentin were all well-known names. So was journalist Roger Wilkins. And so at year's end we've compiled our own Code Switch list. It's not comprehensive; instead, we wanted to spotlight some of the people we might not have known as well, and share them with you. Sheila Abdus-Salaam was the first African-American woman and the first Muslim to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals , the state's highest court. Judge Abdus-Salaam's death became news in April, when her body was discovered in the Hudson River not far from her Manhattan home. After dismissing speculation about foul play, authorities have tentatively indicated that her death may have been a suicide, perhaps the result of myriad pressures associated with the job, or distress
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