As a Black female voice in media, Ananda Lewis’s impact broke many invisible barriers, challenging stereotypes and paving the way for the generation that followed.

Ananda Lewis, an MTV VJ and talk show host, has died. She was 52. Lewis’ sister Lakshmi took to social media to share news of her death on Wednesday, June 11. “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms,” she said in a Facebook post. “Lord, rest her soul.”

Lewis's sister Lakshmi Emory posted the news to Facebook that she had lost her years-long battle with breast cancer. She was 52 years old.