My first tribute here is to Lorraine Hansberry, the young African American woman playwright to whom the American theater and African American theater owe so much. It is impossible to read her words in work after work—or see her plays on stage or film—and not feel astonished anew at the depth of the perception and powers of expression of this artist.
My second tribute is to Robert Nemiroff for the dedication and integrity of his work on behalf of the playwright and lovers of art and beauty everywhere. Now, in reviewing his acknowledgments in To Be Young, Gifted and Black (1969), his seminal work portraying Hansberry in her own words, I am struck by how much theater and personal history is incorporated in his prefatory pages as he listed the extraordinary numbers of people (from the beginning, following the loss of the playwright) who have contributed to the perpetuation of the Hansberry legacy.
Two of the persons who, like Bob, are no longer with us, I should like to again recall: his assistant Charlotte Zaltzberg, who worked with him unstintingly in mutual love for a project in which both joy and satisfaction could be derived from the very exposure to so rich a lore of human creativity. The second person, the late Howard Hausman, whom Bob described as “the first agent I ever met who proved not a ‘necessary evil,’ but a true friend of art.” Howie and his wife, Marie, became equally my friends. I will be forever grateful for Howie’s deep appreciation of Hansberry’s genius and Bob’s commitment, and his never-failing encouragement of my work.
Others to whom I am indebted who were present at that time—or entered the picture shortly thereafter—are Seymour Baldash, Bob’s friend and accountant (and mine); Alan Bomser, our lawyer and friend; and Samuel Liff, faithful agent and friend. All three have helped to sustain me and assisted me in carrying Bob’s work forward.
Two patrons who believed in my husband provided invaluable assistance. Without them, the difficulties of getting Hansberry’s work before the public would have been infinitely harder. They are Estelle Frank, a longtime friend, and Sol Medoff (and his wife, Faye), committed human beings who simply believed in Hansberry and Bob and acted on the strength of the belief.
Other special persons to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude include the husband and wife team Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, perhaps the most legendary of African American artists of stage, screen, and television of our times. Both Davis and Dee are also writers (Ruby Dee is a lyrical poet; Ossie Davis, an essayist and playwright). From the time of Lorraine’s death, they responded whenever Bob called (which was often) and have continued to do so for me: responded with love, and patience, and instant dedication to whatever project from our household is underway. Their support of me on Bob’s death was, as their lives are, deeply affirming.
Margaret B. Wilkerson, Hansberry’s biographer, has brought to her work in researching Hansberry’s life a thorough approach and respect for the process, and humility in having the responsibility for presentation and treatment of the artist as a private person and creator. Highly capable and creative, Wilkerson, through her knowledge of Hansberry, of her times, of the African American experience, and of the theater, helps immeasurably to fill the void of Bob’s loss.
Chiz Schultz, one of the original producers of To Be Young, Gifted and Black and sensitive stage, film, and TV producer, has continued to sustain and support my work. A man of total integrity, he too enriches the arts by his professionalism and his private commitment.
I am grateful to Max Eisen, Bob’s press agent, who has never failed to answer any call from me for advice or help. And my friends Lovette Harper and Sophie and Joe LaRusso for fidelity.
And Edith Gordon, Bob’s—and my—more than friend and mentor, who spoiled him shamelessly because she loved him.
Finally my family: I am grateful to the Nemiroffs who closed ranks around me on my husband’s death to uplift and sustain me. My special thanks to Mili and Leo; David and Helene; David Lyons and Sandra Nemiroff Lyons, and Matthew Lyons.
My sister, Hattie Handy Manning, who has always promptly undertaken to support whatever I have attempted to do through the years; my brother, Albert Handy, his wife, Cathy and children Alicia, Cathy, Albert, and Lizzie; and my nephew Paul Nunn and his wife, Vanessa, for their care. Thanks also to Marty Nunn.
Multifold gratitude to our daughter, Joi Gresham, creative in her own right and imbued with a sense of purpose and direction of which Bob was very proud. Thanks also to my son-in-law, Timothy Conant, and joyous appreciation to my grandchildren Joshua Malik Gresham-Conner and Mariah Jewell Gresham-Conant for existing.
Lastly, my deep gratitude to my husband’s closest friends, who have helped to fill the void in my life: Dr. Burton D’Lugoff, who loved Lorraine Hansberry and Robert Nemiroff and fought vainly in the final illness of each to wrest each back to this side of life. Thanks also to his wife, Marian, who supported him and us.
And to Ann and Ernie Lieberman, who are always by my side with laughter, and nostalgia, warm memories, and a zest for life that is contagious and an ongoing tribute to Bob, whom they loved, and to me, whom they welcomed into so beautiful and charmed a circle.
—JEWELL HANDY GRESHAM NEMIROFF
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
May 1994