<P> `` To Be Young , Gifted and Black '' is a song by Nina Simone with lyrics by Weldon Irvine . It was written in memory of Simone 's late friend Lorraine Hansberry , author of the play A Raisin in the Sun , who had died in 1965 aged 34 . The song was originally recorded and released by Simone in 1969 , also featuring on her 1970 album Black Gold , and was a Civil Rights Movement anthem . Released as a single , it peaked at number eight on the R&B chart and number 76 on the Hot 100 . </P>
<P> `` To Be Young , Gifted and Black '' is a song by Nina Simone with lyrics by Weldon Irvine . It was written in memory of Simone 's late friend Lorraine Hansberry , author of the play A Raisin in the Sun , who had died in 1965 aged 34 . The song was originally recorded and released by Simone in 1969 , also featuring on her 1970 album Black Gold , and was a Civil Rights Movement anthem . Released as a single , it peaked at number eight on the R&B chart and number 76 on the Hot 100 . </P>
who wrote the song young gifted and black
who wrote the song young gifted and black
Nina Simone Weldon Irvine
Nina Simone Weldon Irvine