On October 18, 2021, the first black United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, died at the age of 84. His family stated that Powell died from Covid-19 complications, despite him being fully vaccinated. 

“General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the Powell family posted on Facebook. 

Powell also suffered from multiple myeloma, a cancer found in plasma cells that damages bones, the immune system, kidneys, and red blood cells. Even a person who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can still get and die from the virus, especially if they are immunocompromised like Colin Powell. 

President Joe Biden released a statement saying that Colin was the embodiment of the highest ideals of an American warrior and diplomat. Biden stated, “Powell was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all.” Powell’s personal experience in the military made him a strong and reliable leader, who helped shape our nation’s policies. 

Colin Powell grew up in Harlem, New York, and he graduated from the City College of New York in 1958 while serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. After graduation, he entered the US Army and served in Vietnam from 1962-1963 and 1968-1969. In 1983, Powell became a senior military assistant to Caspar Weinberger, former Secretary of Defense. Powell earned a purple heart while serving in the military and became a four-star general in 1989. After his second tour in Vietnam, he had earned 11 military decorations. Powell served in the United States military from 1958- 1993. He retired from the military in 1993 and was appointed as Secretary of State by George W. Bush on January 20, 2001. He served from 2001 until 2005 as the first African American and 65th Secretary of State.

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