R.I.P. Dick Gregory

“I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that” - Dick Gregory

(Dick Gregory)

Dick Gregory was born as Richard Gregory on October 12th, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Gregory earned a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He set school records in track and field. In 1954 he was drafted into the US Army. While in the Army he got into comedy and entered several talent shows. In 1956 he returned to college. He then dropped out of college. He then moved to Chicago, IL and worked alongside other comics such as Nipsey Russell and Bill Cosby. Gregory spoke about social and racial issues in his comedy. In 1958 he opened a nightclub in Illinois. In 1959 Gregory landed a job as master of ceremonies at the Roberts Show Club. He worked in the US post office during the day and at night as a comedian.

(Gregory performing)

Also in 1959 he married Lillian Smith. He was then hired by Hugh Hefner at the Chicago Playboy Club. He then starred on the “Late Night Show Starring Jack Paar”. In the early 1960’s he became vegetarian. In 1963 he spoke in Selma, AL.

(Gregory in 1963)

In 1964 he protested against the Vietnam War and other social issues. In 1967 he ran for mayor of Chicago, IL.

(Gregory in 1967)

In 1968 he ran as a write in candidate for president of the US. In 1975 he appeared on “Goodnight America”.

(Gregory in 1975)

In 1978 he was apart of the National ERA March for Ratification and Extension. In 1979 he appeared at the Amandla Festival where Bob Marley, Patti LaBelle and others performed.

(Gregory (Left) and Bob Marley (Right))

In 1980 he traveled to Tehran, Iran to attempt to negotiate the US hostages' release. In 1984 he founded Health Enterprises, Inc.

(Gregory in 1984)

In 1985 he made a powdered diet mix. In 1998 Gregory spoke at the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with President Bill Clinton.

(Gregory (Left) with Richard Pryor (Right) in 1998)

In 1999 he was diagnosed with lymphoma. In 2003 Gregory and Cornel West wrote letters on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to Kentucky Fried Chicken's CEO, asking that the company improve their animal handling procedures.

(Gregory in 2003)

In 2006 he spoke at James Brown’s funeral. In 2010 he did a hunger strike against the official U.S. report about the attacks on September 11, 2001 and how they are false.

(Gregory in 2010)

In 2013 Gregory gave a speech at Bryn Mawr College. In 2016 a play was made about him.

(Gregory in 2016)

In 2017 he was hospitalized with a bacterial infection.

(Gregory in 2017)

On August 19th, 2017 Dick Gregory died due to heart failure. Take time to remember this great comedian today.

Albums by Dick Gregory

• “In Living Black and White” (1961)
• “East & West” (1961)
• “Dick Gregory Talks Turkey” (1962)
• “The Two Sides of Dick Gregory” (1963)
• “My Brother's Keeper” (1963)
• “Dick Gregory Running for President” (1964)
• “So You See... We All Have Problems” (1964)
• “Dick Gregory On:” (1969)
• “The Light Side: The Dark Side” (1969)
• “Dick Gregory's Frankenstein” (1970)
• “Live at the Village Gate” (1970)
• “At Kent State” (1971)
• “Caught in the Act” (1974)
• “The Best of Dick Gregory” (1997)
• “21st Century "State of the Union"” (2001)
• “You Don't Know Dick” (2016)

Books by Dick Gregory

• Nigger (1964)
• Write me in! (1968)

Films starring Dick Gregory

• Sweet Love, Bitter (1967) as Richie Stokes
• Panther (1995) as Rev. Slocum
• Children of the Struggle (1999) as Vernon Lee
• The Hot Chick (2002) as bathroom attendant

Videos of Dick Gregory

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkQ4OCNecXs  “Back in the Day/Dick Gregory 1962”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwKKHwrO3pM  “Dick Gregory reflects on the Civil Rights Movement”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej5FwzhUDcM  “Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Stand Up: Dick Gregory”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M267xj8THk  “Dick Gregory At Comedy Arts Festival”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItJO7VOXe8w  “Dick Gregory - "They Killed Prince" (RBTV Exclusive)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpypmMXikZM  “Dick Gregory - On Michael Jackson and Tupac”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UofbZVTIYMU  “Dick Gregory presidential candidacy interview, 1968”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Happy Birthday Iman Abdulmajid

“A self-esteem issue doesn't change whether you're considered beautiful or not because it's about what's inside you” - Iman Abdulmajid

(Iman Abdulmajid)

Iman Abdulmajid was born as Zara Abdulmajid on July 25th, 1955 in Mogadishu, Somalia. She was renamed “Iman” due to her grandfather’s request.

(Abdulmajid as a child)

At 4 years old she was sent to boarding school in Egypt. During her younger years their family would frequently travel to Kenya. Iman attended the University of Nairobi and studied political science. In 1976 had her first modeling assignment for Vogue. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world due to her long neck, tall stature, slender figure, fine features, copper toned skin, and exotic accent.

(Abdulmajid in 1976)

Iman worked with many notable photographers. In 1979 she appeared in the movie The Human Factor.

(Abdulmajid in 1979)

In 1985 she appeared in the movie Back in the World. Also in 1985 she appeared in Out of Africa.

(Abdulmajid in Out of Africa (1985))

In 1987 she appeared in No Way Out. Also in 1987 she appeared in Surrender. In 1988 she appeared in the movie Love At First Sight. She also appeared in the TV show “In the Heat of the Night”. In 1991 she appeared in Lies of the Twins, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and House Party 2.

(Abdulmajid (Center) with Kid (Left) and Play (Right) in House Party 2 (1991))

In 1992 she married David Bowie. Also in 1992 she appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video, “Remember the Time”.

(Abdulmajid (Right) with Eddie Murphy (Center) and Michael Jackson (Left))

In 1994 she started her own cosmetics firm. Also in 1994 she appeared in Exit to Eden. In 1999 she appeared in the video game “Omikron: The Nomad Soul”. In 2001 she released the book I Am Iman.

(Abdulmajid in 2001)

In the mid 2000’s Iman spent 2 years as the host of “Project Runway Canada”. In 2005 she released the book The Beauty of Color. In 2007 she introduced her clothing line.

(Abdulmajid in 2007)

In 2010 her firm was a $25 million a year business. Also in 2010 she began hosting the second season of “The Fashion Show”. She then received a “Fashion Icon” lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

(Abdulmajid in 2010)

In 2012 Iman signed fellow Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim for her cosmetics line.

(Abdulmajid in 2016)

Today she turns 62 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Iman Abdulmajid.

Films featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• The Human Factor (1979) as Sarah
• Exposed (1983) as model
• Out of Africa (1985) as Mariammo
• No Way Out (1987) as Nina
• Surrender (1987) as Hedy
• House Party 2 (1991) as Sheila Landreaux
• Lies of the Twins (1991) as Cat/Elie
• L.A. Story (1991) as Cynthia
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) as Martia
• The Linguini Incident (1991) as Dali Guest
• Exit to Eden (1994) as Nina

TV Shows featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• “Miami Vice” (1984-1989) as Dakotah
• “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992) as Mrs. Montgomery
• “In the Heat of the Night” (1988-1992) as Marie Babineaux
• “227” (1985-1990) as Eartha Kitten
• “Project Runway Canada” (2007-2009) as herself
• “The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection” (2009-2011) as herself

Books by Iman Abdulmajid

• I am Iman (2001)

The Beauty of Color (2005)

Happy Birthday Bill Cosby

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure” - Bill Cosby

(Bill Cosby)

Bill Cosby was born as William Cosby Jr. on July 12th, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Cosby was a class clown as a kid. Cosby was the captain of both the baseball team and the track and field team as well as the class president. While in high school he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track, in addition Cosby was working before and after school, selling produce, shining shoes, and stocking shelves at a supermarket to help out his family.

(Cosby in high school)

In 1956 Cosby enlisted in the Navy. In 1961 He finished his equivalency diploma via correspondence courses and was awarded a track and field scholarship to Philadelphia's Temple University. He studied physical education. He also ran track and played on the football team. He also started to do stand up comedy the same year. In 1963 he received national exposure on NBC's “The Tonight Show”.

(Cosby in 1963)

In 1964 he gained a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. He released his 1st album, “Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right!”, the same year. Also in 1964 Cosby got married to Camille Olivia Hanks. In 1965 Cosby was cast in the TV show “I Spy”. “I Spy” became the first weekly dramatic television series to feature an African American in a starring role. At the beginning of the 1965 season, 4 stations declined the show. Cosby was honored with three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the TV show.

(Cosby (Left) in “I Spy” (1965-1968))

In 1967 Cosby recorded the album “Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings”. The album went gold. In 1968 Cosby left Warner Bros to start his own record label. In 1969 Cosby aired “The Bill Cosby Show” which lasted for 2 seasons. In 1971 Cosby began graduate work at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1972 Cosby received an MA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Also in 1972 Cosby aired the cartoon show “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”.

(Cosby in “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” (1972-1985))

In 1974 Cosby starred in Uptown Saturday Night. In 1975 he starred in Let’s Do it Again.

(Cosby (Right) and Sidney Poitier (Left) in Let’s Do It Again (1975))

In 1976 Cosby starred in Mother, Jugs & Speed. In 1977 he starred in A Piece of the Action. In 1978 he starred in California Suite. In 1979 he aired the show “The New Fat Albert Show”. In 1983 he released the concert film Bill Cosby: Himself.

(Cosby in 1983)

In 1984 he aired “The Adventures of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”. Also in 1984 he aired “The Cosby Show”. It became the highest ranking sitcom of all time.

(The cast of “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992)

In 1987 Cosby starred in Leonard Part 6. In 1990 he starred in Ghost Dad. In 1993 he starred in Meteor Man. In 1996 he starred in Jack. Also in 1996 he aired the show “Cosby”. In 1997 he starred in the documentary 4 Little Girls. In 1999 he aired the cartoon show “Little Bill”. In 2004 a movie was made based off of the cartoon character “Fat Albert” called Fat Albert.

(Cosby (Left) and Keenan Thompson (Right) in Fat Albert (2004))

In 2013 he performed the TV standup special "Bill Cosby: Far From Finished". In 2014 TV Land and NBC both ended their relationships with Cosby due to 40 year old allegations of sexual assault made against Cosby.

(Cosby in 2014)

In 2015 Cosby was charged with a felony sexual assault. In 2016 a Pennsylvania judge ruled that there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial even though many of the women that were allegedly assaulted by Cosby kept going back to him multiple times after the alleged assault.

(Cosby in 2016)

In 2017 the trial ended in a mistrial due to the jurors being deadlocked due to the fact that the accusers were very contradicting with their accusations against Cosby.

(Cosby in 2017)

Today he turns 80 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Bill Cosby.

Comedy Albums by Bill Cosby

• “Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right!” (1963)
• “I Started Out as a Child” (1964)
• “Why Is There Air?” (1965)
• “Wonderfulness” (1966)
• “Revenge” (1967)
• “To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With” (1968)
• “200 M.P.H.” (1968)
• “8:15 12:15” (1969)
• “It's True! It's True!” (1969)
• “Sports” (1969)
• “Live: Madison Square Garden Center” (1970)
• “When I Was a Kid” (1971)
• “For Adults Only” (1971)
• “Bill Cosby Talks to Kids About Drugs” (1971)
• “Inside the Mind of Bill Cosby” (1972)
• “Fat Albert” (1973)
• “My Father Confused Me... What Must I Do? What Must I Do?” (1977)
• “Bill's Best Friend” (1978)
• “Bill Cosby: Himself” (1982)
• “Those of You with or Without Children, You'll Understand” (1986)
• “Oh, Baby!” (1991)

Music Albums by Bill Cosby

• “Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings” (1967)
• “Bill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band!” (1968)
• “Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band” (1971)
• “Charles Mingus and Friends in Concert – As master of ceremonies” (1972)
• “Bill Cosby Presents Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral Marching Band” (1972)
• “At Last Bill Cosby Really Sings” (1974)
• “Bill Cosby Is Not Himself These Days” (1976)
• “Disco Bill” (1977)
• “Where You Lay Your Head” (1990)
• “My Appreciation” (1991)
• “Hello Friend: To Ennis, With Love” (1997)
• “Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby – The Original Jam Sessions 1969” (2004)
• “Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby – The New Mixes Vol. 1” (2004)
• “State of Emergency” (2009)
• “Keep Standing” (2010)

Films Starring Bill Cosby

• Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) as Patron at nightclub
• Aesop's Fables (1971) as Aesop
• Hickey & Boggs (1972) as Al Hickey
• Uptown Saturday Night (1974) as Wardell Franklin
• Let’s Do It Again (1975) as Billy Foster
• Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) as Mother
• A Piece of the Action (1977) as Dave Anderson
• California Suite (1978) as Dr. Willis Panama
• The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) as Barney Satin
• Leonard Part 6 (1987) as Leonard Parker
• Ghost Dad (1990) as Elliot Hopper
• The Meteor Man (1993) as Marvin
• Jack (1996) as Lawrence Woodruff
• Baadasssss! (2003) as himself
• Fat Albert (2004) as himself
• Bill Cosby 77 (2014) as himself

TV Shows Starring Bill Cosby

• “I Spy” (1965-1968) as Alexander Scott
• “The Bill Cosby Show” (1969-1971) as Chet Kincaid
• “The Electric Company” (1971-1973) as Hank
• “The New Bill Cosby Show” (1972) as host
• “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” (1972-1985) as "Fat" Albert Jackson
• “Cos” (1976) as host
• “Pinwheel” (1977-1990) as himself
• “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992) as Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable
• “A Different World” (1987) as Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable
• “You Bet Your Life” (1992-1993) as host
• “The Cosby Mysteries” (1994-1995) as Guy Hanks
• “Cosby” (1996-2000) as Hilton Lucas
• “Kids Say the Darndest Things” (1998-2000) as host
• “Little Bill” (1999-2004) as Captain Brainstorm

Videos of Bill Cosby

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPTml2fa1mM  “BILL COSBY - 1963 - Standup Comedy”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOwQWDSzjYw  “I Spy - The Spy Business - Culp & Cosby”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiWEyUMm5Lo  “Bill Cosby - Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) Intro”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij3LKTjpmd8  “Uptown Saturday Night (1974) Official Trailer - Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier Movie HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CQrBDwCzmw  “The Cosby Show - Intro Season 1”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZOKp8T3LuE  “Stevie wonder singing "I just called" on the cosby show”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO2vgVOiZwo  “The Cosby Show - Rare Season 7 Theme Song”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipgcUy3bkU  “Little Bill Intro”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ski1HSuFKW8  “Fat Albert Trailer HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvVtEeXR1K0  “Yes, That Comedy Central -- Bill Cosby -- Far From Finished”