Danny Simmons, a painter, poet, cultural organizer, and advocate for emerging Black artists, has died at the age of 72. His family announced his passing Monday but did not disclose the date, location, or cause of death.

Born on August 17, 1953, in Hollis, Queens, Simmons was part of a family deeply rooted in arts and activism. His father, Daniel Simmons Sr., was a truant officer and educator in Black history, while his mother, Evelyn, was a teacher and amateur painter. He was the eldest brother of Russell Simmons, a hip-hop entrepreneur, and Joseph Simmons, known as Rev Run of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC.

Simmons emerged as a significant figure in Brooklyn’s art scene during the 1990s. After leaving a stable career in New York City’s child support services, he dedicated himself to abstract expressionist painting, drawing inspiration from African motifs and European and Latin American Surrealism. His first solo exhibition took place in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1993, followed by numerous shows in New York galleries.

Beyond his own artwork, Simmons worked to amplify the voices of Black artists who often struggled for visibility. In 1995, he and Russell Simmons established Rush Arts, a Manhattan gallery that showcased emerging Black talent. Around the same time, Simmons opened Corridor Gallery in his Clinton Hill, Brooklyn home. Together with his brothers, he also co-founded the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, an organization providing scholarships, grants, and other resources to new artists.

Simmons was deeply involved in poetry and spoken word communities, frequently hosting readings at galleries he managed and inspired. He played a pivotal role in the creation of “Def Poetry Jam,” an HBO series that debuted in 2002 and later adapted for Broadway, where it won a Tony Award. The show was a spin-off from his brother Russell’s successful comedy program, "Def Comedy Jam."

His personal history included challenges that informed his later work. While an undergraduate at New York University, Simmons was arrested in 1973 during a campus drug raid and served nearly two years in prison under the Rockefeller drug laws. This experience motivated him to establish a scholarship program specifically for formerly incarcerated artists seeking higher education. He also spoke publicly about overcoming drug addiction, achieving sobriety in the early 1990s.

In addition to visual art and poetry, Simmons authored several books, including the novel “Three Days as the Crow Flies” (2003) and “The Return of Two Dick Willie” (2018), a blend of storytelling and art.

In 2015, Simmons relocated to Philadelphia, seeking a creative environment reminiscent of early Brooklyn’s communal spirit. There, he launched Rush Arts Philadelphia in 2016 and became involved in citywide mural projects and curatorial work at museums and galleries, continuing to foster artistic growth at the grassroots level.

He is survived by his wife, Keia; a son, Jamel; a grandson; and his brothers. Throughout his career, Danny Simmons remained a dedicated mentor and cultural advocate, committed to building opportunities for future generations of artists.