By: Eleuterio Velazquez, Elijah EwarawonBy: Eleuterio Velazquez, Elijah Ewarawon

Introduction This power point is going to focus on the life of

Dick Gregory who was many things a husband, father, activist, philosopher, comedian, and author. He was a man committed to a mission to make the world a better place. He marching with Dr. King to going on strikes he

did anything necessary to enrich his people.

Growing Up Dick Gregory was born October 12, 1932 in St. Louis. His childhood was spent shining shoes for a living to support his

family. He was involved in sports and social causes in high school. He went to southern Illinois university with an athletic scholarship. In 1953 he was named the outstanding athletic student in the

university; that same year he left to joined the U.S. army.

Big BreakBig Break In 1958 Dick Gregory began his career as a master of ceremonies In 1958 Dick Gregory began his career as a master of ceremonies

at various night clubs.at various night clubs. Dick Gregory entered the comedy scene in 1961.Dick Gregory entered the comedy scene in 1961. Until then he had just been working in clubs with predominantly Until then he had just been working in clubs with predominantly

black audiences. black audiences. Chicago playboy club owner Hugh Hefner booked him for a show Chicago playboy club owner Hugh Hefner booked him for a show

when comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey could not make it. when comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey could not make it. Dick was so good that he won over a audience which included Dick was so good that he won over a audience which included

southern white “convention goers.” Playboy offered him a contract southern white “convention goers.” Playboy offered him a contract to work at their clubs. to work at their clubs.

SuperstarSuperstar Dick Gregory was the first black comedian to have a big hit.Dick Gregory was the first black comedian to have a big hit. By the year 1962 Dick Gregory had become a known headline By the year 1962 Dick Gregory had become a known headline

performer. performer. He sold out many nightclubs, making numerous national television He sold out many nightclubs, making numerous national television

appearances, and recording popular comedy albums.appearances, and recording popular comedy albums.

Family ManFamily Man

He met his wife, Lil, in a comedy club.He met his wife, Lil, in a comedy club. They got married and had about ten kids, which became highly They got married and had about ten kids, which became highly

respected members in the national community in a variety of respected members in the national community in a variety of fields. fields.

The children consisted of Michele, Lynne, Pamela, Paula, The children consisted of Michele, Lynne, Pamela, Paula, Stephanie (aka Xenobia), Gregory, Christian, Miss, Ayanna and Stephanie (aka Xenobia), Gregory, Christian, Miss, Ayanna and Yohance.Yohance.

Dick Gregory ActivistDick Gregory Activist Dick Gregory named one of his books NIGGER. In this book he

explained his experiences and what kind of racism there was in the south.

Dick Gregory was arrested in 1963

Dick Gregory the Entertainer.

Dick Gregory was the fist black entertainer that had a big hit.

Dick Gregory’s Jokes Dick Gregory’s Jokes "When I get drunk, I think I'm Polish. One night I got so "When I get drunk, I think I'm Polish. One night I got so

drunk I moved out of my own neighborhood," drunk I moved out of my own neighborhood," "People keep telling me some of their best friends are "People keep telling me some of their best friends are

colored. Let's face it. There just aren't that many of us to go colored. Let's face it. There just aren't that many of us to go round," round,"

"They always talk about Russia dropping the bomb. I got "They always talk about Russia dropping the bomb. I got news. If it happens, it's gonna be more like 10,000 bombs. news. If it happens, it's gonna be more like 10,000 bombs. There'll be a 100-megaton bomb for New York, a fifty-There'll be a 100-megaton bomb for New York, a fifty-megaton one for Chicago, a thirty-megaton for Cleveland—megaton one for Chicago, a thirty-megaton for Cleveland—and a quarter-megaton job for Grosse Pointe. And it better be and a quarter-megaton job for Grosse Pointe. And it better be painted white—'cause if it's black, they ain't gonna let it in!"painted white—'cause if it's black, they ain't gonna let it in!"

Dick Gregory VegetarianDick Gregory Vegetarian In 1973 Dick Gregory moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts, there he

developed a interest in vegetarianism and became a nutritional consultant. In 1984 he founded Health Enterprises, Inc., a company that distributed

weight loss products. In 1987 Gregory introduced a Bahamian Diet, a powdered diet mix, which

was profitable. In 2001, Dick Gregory announced to the world that he had been diagnosed

with a rare form of Cancer. He refused traditional medical treatment and with the assistance of some of the finest minds in alternative medicine, put together a system of a variety of diet, vitamins, exercise, and modern devices not even known to the public, which ultimately resulted in his reversing the trend of the Cancer to the point where today he is 100% Cancer free.

Dick Gregory getting arrested.

Dick Gregory promoting peace.

Dick Gregory with his daughter.

Annotated Bibliography http://www.dickgregory.com/about_dick_gregory.html

http://www.hermenaut.com/a52.shtml

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/245536/Dick-Gregory

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/gregory/gregory_dick.html