The 1970 song Nina Simone thought should’ve been “the next Black national anthem”
- Simone hoped her song would become a Black national anthem.
- It was written in memory of Lorraine Hansberry.
- Weldon Irvine wrote the lyrics.
Nina Simone wanted her song “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” to become the next Black national anthem. Written in memory of her friend Lorraine Hansberry, it expressed pride in Black identity and offered young listeners an affirming message during the civil rights era. Simone’s daughter, Lisa, recalled…