Dick Gregory is a comedian and civil rights activist whose social satire changed the way many Americans perceived African American comedians. Gregory entered the national comedy scene in 1961 when Chicago’s Playboy Club asked him to replace a white comedian, “Professor” Irwin Corey. Soon, Gregory began making other national
TV appearances and recording comedy albums. He often drew on current events for his material, such as, "Segregation is not all bad.
Have you ever heard of a collision where the people in the back of the bus got hurt?"

Gregory's strong sense of social justice fed his opposition to segregation and the Vietnam War. He has written two autobiographies, and advocates for better health through nutrition.