Dick Gregory is an African American comedian, social activist, social critic, and writer. For many years he has used his performance comedy to address and convey his political message on civil rights. In the 1960s, Gregory became more involved in the struggle for civil rights. Although not a native of the area, Gregory came to Milwaukee to bring attention to city’s civil rights struggles. In 1964 and 1965, he supported the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee’s school desegregation campaign and eventually joined the Milwaukee NAACP Youth Council‘s open housing campaign. During the open housing campaign, Gregory participated and led many marches. He also suggested some of the Youth Council‘s economic boycotts, such as the “Black Christmas” campaign and the Schlitz Beer boycott. EM