Richard Claxton " Dick " Gregory (born October 12, 1932) is an American comedian, civil rights activist, social critic, conspiracy theorist, writer and entrepreneur. Gregory is an influential American comedian who has used his performance skills to convey to both white and black audiences his political message on civil rights. His social satire helped change the way white Americans perceived black American comedians since he first performed in public. As a poor student who excelled at running, Gregory was aided by teachers at Sumner High School , among them Warren St. James. Gregory earned a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University Carbondale There he set school records as a half-miler and miler. His college career was interrupted for two years in 1954 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army . The army was where he got his start in comedy, entering and winning several Army talent shows at the urging of hi...