Lorraine Hansberry was a prominent African American playwright and writer, best known for her groundbreaking play "A Raisin in the Sun." Born in Chicago in 1930, she was the first African American woman to have a play produced on Broadway.

"A Raisin in the Sun" debuted in 1959 and explored the experiences of a black family living on Chicago's South Side as they face racial discrimination and struggle for a better life. The play was a critical and commercial success, earning Hansberry the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play.

Hansberry's work was instrumental in shedding light on the realities of African American life in the United States during the civil rights movement. She used her platform to advocate for racial and gender equality, becoming a prominent figure in the struggle for civil rights and social justice.

Tragically, Hansberry's life was cut short when she died of cancer at the young age of 34 in 1965. Despite her short life, her impact on American theater and her contributions to the civil rights movement have left a lasting legacy.