Lorraine Hansberry is a playwright known for her depiction of the African American experience in her groundbreaking work, "A Raisin in the Sun." Premiering in 1959, this play became the first on Broadway written by an African American woman. It addresses issues of race, identity, and socioeconomic struggle faced by a Black family in Chicago. Hansberry's nuanced characters and powerful narrative challenged societal norms and inspired discussions around civil rights and racial equity. Her work highlights the intersectionality of race and class, cementing her legacy as an essential figure in American theater and literature.