Clotée McAfee, a trailblazing fashion entrepreneur and beloved mentor whose career spanned more than four decades, has passed away. From launching a sewing business with just eight machines to running a 50-machine garment factory that produced for brands like Karen Kane, JC Penney, and Texaco, McAfee built more than a business—she built opportunity. She created the first high-tech teaching factory through a federal grant and partnership with inventor Heinz Gerber, helping usher in a new era of computer-aided manufacturing and workforce development in Los Angeles. Her firm was spotlighted in a Super Bowl commercial and was one of the first to receive REBUILD LA funding after the 1992 civil unrest.
Beyond business, McAfee designed for music legends like Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams, led school uniform fashion into Macy’s, and served on workforce boards under President Clinton and Mayor Riordan. During the COVID-19 crisis, she stepped up to design and distribute protective masks nationwide, earning a medal and commendation from the U.S. Air Force. She also managed her daughter’s luxury dessert brand Art Delectables—now a Grammy and Super Bowl VIP staple—and guided the career of Stellar-nominated artist Al Mac Will. Clotée McAfee’s life was defined by service, style, and the elevation of others. Her spirit and generosity will live on in every life she touched.
Music World Mourns the Loss of Sly Stone, Architect of Funk and Musical Revolution
Sly Stone, the groundbreaking founder of Sly and the Family Stone, known for hits such as “”Everyday People”, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, “Stand” and “Dance to the Music”, passed away on June 9 at age 82, succumbing to complications from COPD. His passing has sparked a heartfelt outpouring of love and respect. Questlove, who directed the PBS-featured documentary Sly Lives!, wrote on Instagram: “Sly was a giant—not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note. … His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same”. Jamie Foxx also shared a simple yet moving message on social media: “Legend RIP SLY,” remembering him as one of music’s greatest innovators.
Queen Latifah hailed him as an “innovator [and] funk aficionado,” while DJ Premier saluted the icon—considered a major influence by Prince— for weaving together funk, soul, rock, and diversity in a way that shaped his own artistic identity.
As fans and fellow artists alike mourn, the consensus is clear: Sly Stone’s music didn’t just entertain—it transformed hearts, bridged divides, and left a legacy that will echo forever.