Lorraine Hansberry was an influential Black playwright and writer who made significant contributions to Black history through her groundbreaking work in the arts. She is best known for writing "A Raisin in the Sun," which was the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway in 1959.

Born in Chicago in 1930, Hansberry was raised in a politically active and culturally rich environment. Her parents were actively involved in the civil rights movement, and their experiences heavily influenced Hansberry's own activism throughout her life.

"A Raisin in the Sun" captures the struggles of a working-class Black family in Chicago as they navigate issues of racial discrimination, poverty, and dreams of a better future. The play received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, earning Hansberry the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play.

Hansberry's work explored themes of race, class, and gender, and she used her platform to advocate for civil rights and social justice. She was also openly lesbian at a time when it was still taboo to do so, making her a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ community as well.

Sadly, Lorraine Hansberry passed away at the young age of 34 in 1965 due to cancer, but her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking contributions to American theater and her impact on Black history.