Alphonso Morgan Jr

Alphonso Morgan Jr., known to many as "Al" or by his creative alisa DJ2AM, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, at the age of 58. Al was cared for by his loving partner of 8 years, Gwendolyn "Deedee" Drain. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut,  Alphonso carried the spirit of a creative soul from an early age- later planting roots in Washington, D.C., where his artistry, warmth, and vision continued to grow and touch countless lives.

Alphonso  was a multidisciplinary artist, a dreamer, a builder , and a connector. Whether he was spinning music as DJ2AM, painting, creating with found objects, or starting community initiatives, Al brought beauty and imagination into the everyday. He believed art wasn't something you observed- it was something you lived. 

Born on August 12, 1966, to the late Patricia Morrow and Alphonso Morgan Sr., Al honored his parents' legacy through his fierce love of family and his unwavering pursuit of his dreams. He was the founder of a local farmers market and fulfilled a lifelong vision by opening a neighborhood coffee shop that became a welcoming hub for conversation, culture, and community. 

Al is survived by his beloved children: his son, William Morgan; his daughter, Maya Morgan. He also leaves behind a large, loving circle of family and friends- many of whom knew him by different names; brother, nephew, uncle, son, father, "Zo," "Pa," or simply,friend.

To know Alphonso was to witness the extraordinary in the ordinary. He had a gift for finding magic in overlooked spaces and for transforming thrifted items or found objects into works of art. His life was a masterclass in creativity, joy, and authenticity. He reminded us that beauty surrounds us, if we take the time to see it. 

His work at the U.S. Department of Transportation as an Information Technology Operations Manager was another example of his layered talents- merging structure and innovation with dedication to public service. He brought the same focus and creativity to his professional life that he did to his artistic and community endeavors..

Alphonso's story reminds us that life is fleeting-but also vibrant, colorful, and full of potential. May we each be bold enough to follow our own creative paths, just as he did.