Dick Gregory's Hollywood Star By Dr. E. Faye Williams

Feb. 8, 2015

 

Dick Gregory's Hollywood Star

By Dr. E. Faye Williams 

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(TriceEdneyWire.com) - I have been blessed to attend numerous ceremonies to honor various highly deserving people; however, I don’t think any of them would top the Dick Gregory Star Ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.


  

The National Congress of Black Women played a major role in making Mr. Gregory’s honor possible.  We were joined by Joe Madison—host for Sirius XM Radio, Shelia Moses— Co-Writer of Mr. Gregory’s most recent book called Callus on My Soul, Ted Myles—agent for Mr. Gregory, Priscilla Clarke, and Dr. Christian Gregory—Mr. Gregory’s son.  They did an amazing job in putting the two day tribute together.  Tommy Davidson—a young comedian from Washington, DC, and I were chosen to serve as speakers at the Star Ceremony.  The ceremony was streamed live exclusively on www.walkoffame.com and can still be seen on You-Tube.

 

  

The stars really came out to pay tribute to Mr. Gregory at both the formal ceremonies and the celebration afterwards.  Chris Tucker, Nick Cannon, Roseanne Barr, Lou Gossett, Jr, Stevie Wonder, Ed Weinberger and members of the cast of Selma attended the Star Ceremony.  Among other the guests were  George Lopez, Rob Schneider, John Legend, , Phylis Yvonne Stickney, Denise Nichols, Freda Payne, Bill Duke, Robert Townsend, Lisa Leslie, Roland Martin, Bill Bellamy, Kym Whitley, Tony Rock, Chef Huda, Clifton Powell, Michael Colyar, Judge Mablean, Lamman Rucker, Terry Hodges, Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns), Hope Flood, Luenell, Omarosa Manigault, celebrity makeup artist Derrick Rutledge and many more.  

 

  

The All Star Tribute and Toast was hosted by Chris Tucker. What better way to celebrate Dick and Lillian’s 56 Wedding Anniversary, Black History Month, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 50th Anniversary of the March from Selma to Montgomery—an event President Obama will be attending, than to honor a legend who was there and has paved the way and fought for the rights of all people; however, he would say not having been involved in the Civil Rights Movement is not a valid excuse for not making a difference in the world in some way.

 

  

Throughout the celebration, I heard comments like, “There will never be another person like him.  He's a blessing to all of humanity.  He makes a positive difference in the lives of so many with his humor, his wit and with his daily civil and human rights work.”

 

  

Messages came from many who could not be present.  They included sentiments from musicians, actors, actresses, and from ordinary people and politicians whose lives he has touched.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a wonderful message thanking Mr. Gregory for his outstanding leadership, longtime friendship and support, stating that his legacy will be "remembered for generations to come."   

  

Joe Morton, of Scandal fame, who is scheduled to perform in Turn Me Loose, a play about Mr. Gregory, sent a video expressing the honor it is for him to play the part of a man who is living, breathing history.  The final tribute, held at The Ricardo Montalban Theatre, was so star-filled that not everyone had a chance to perform.

 

  

It has been my personal privilege to call Mr. Gregory a friend and join him on many of his causes through the years. We've worked on immigration reform, women's rights, the BP Oil Spill, the Occupy Movement, Livable Wage events, and the U.S. Senate Apology for never having passed anti-lynching legislation. I’ve even gone to jail with Mr. Gregory, Martin King, III, and George Clooney in an effort to prevent starvation in the Sudan.  

  

To support the work of Mr. Gregory, I encourage you to visit the The Dick Gregory Foundation site which was established to honor and carry on his work. Visit the Foundation site at http://www.dickgregoryfoundation.net.

 

  

  

 

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.  www.nationalcongressbw.org.)