WASHINGTON, D.C. — Angela Marie Stribling, a longtime BET television host, Washington, D.C., radio personality and jazz vocalist, died peacefully at home on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. She was 58. Her husband, Ken Washington, and her sister, Darlene, were with her, according to a statement released through WHUR 96.3 FM.
A celebration of life will be held in Washington, D.C. The date and location have not yet been announced.
BET career
Stribling became a familiar television presence during BET’s early years. She spent about four years as a host of Screen Scene, the network’s entertainment news program, working alongside Melvin Lindsey. She also served as a relief host for Video Soul before helping launch BET Jazz programming.
Her BET Jazz work included Jazz Central, which she hosted with jazz musicians Ramsey Lewis and Lou Rawls, as well as BET Jazz Discovery and BET Jazz Scene. WHUR’s biography describes her as one of the early on-air personalities who helped establish the network’s programming.
A familiar voice in Washington radio
Stribling built a long relationship with WHUR, where she became the first woman to host the station’s original Quiet Storm format. She later hosted Pillow Talk with Angela and contributed voice work to radio programming beyond Washington.
Her career extended into national voiceover work, television and film. She appeared in the 1992 Eddie Murphy movie The Distinguished Gentleman and worked on national campaigns for major brands, according to her WHUR biography.
Jazz singer and performer
Stribling was also a classically trained vocalist who developed a career as a jazz singer. She performed internationally and shared stages with artists including Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. Her musical work included recordings such as Angela Stribling…Live and Tokyo Sundays.
WHUR General Manager Sean Plater said Stribling’s voice and presence had become part of the Washington area’s radio culture for decades. Former BET colleague Ed Gordon also paid tribute to her, remembering their years working together at the network.
Stribling’s death marks the loss of a broadcaster whose work connected television, radio and jazz across several decades. Her family and colleagues are expected to share further information about her celebration of life as arrangements are finalized.