"To Be Young, Gifted and Black"

Lyrics were written by Weldon Irvine. 

"To Be Young, Gifted and Black" was first released as a single in 1970, then on the album Black Gold. 

This recording comes from the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969.

Nina Simone

NinaFestival
published via YouTube.com

1969

"To Be Young, Gifted and Black" was a Top Ten R&B hit, peaking at #8. It reached #76 on the Hot 100. It was inspired by Lorraine Hansberry, author of Raisin in the Sun.