Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. secretary of state, has died at 84 from complications of COVID-19. Powell helped shape foreign policy for several administrations and championed American democracy around the world. Colin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state, has died from complications after contracting COVID-19, a statement from his family has said. He was 84. Powell had previously been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer in plasma cells that suppresses the body’s immune response, CNN reports. Even if fully vaccinated against COVID-19, those who are immunocompromised are at greater risk from the virus