Movies
Halle Berry became the first black woman to win an Academy Award for her role in this 2001 film
What is Monster's Ball?
Making history in 2023, this "queen" made history by winning her 32nd Grammy award.
Beyonce
This actress won a Golden Globe for her role as Florida Evans on the sitcom "Good Times"
Who is Esther Rolle?
The Wiz
Having been nominated 9 times, this actor took home the awards for Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1989 and Best Actor in Training Day in 2001.
Denzel Washington
The first artist to win 8 Grammys in one night in 1984, this musical icon had a "Thriller" of a year.
Michael Jackson
Making history at the Emmy's, this actor became the first African American to win for Best Director for the comedy series "Atlanta".
Donald Glover
Portraying boxer, Jack Jefferson, in the Broadway drama, "The Great White Hope", this actor won a Tony Award in 1968
James Earl Jones
After being nominated for an Academy Award in 1958 for "The Defiant Ones", this actor became the first black actor to win Best Actor award in 1964 for "Lillies of the Field"
Sidney Poitier
Debuting in 1970, this musical variety show was created to highlight African American musical acts and dancers.
Soul Train
In 2015, this actress became the first African American woman to win a Prime Time Emmy Award for her role in the ABC drama series "How to Get Away with Murder". She also happens to be one of the few EGOT winners.
Viola Davis
This Lorraine Hansberry play opened in March 1959 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre solidifying her place in history as the first African American woman to have a play on Broadway.
A Raisin in the Sun
At 23 years of age, he became the first African American to be nominated for Best Director for "Boyz in the Hood" in 1991.
John Singleton
It is generally agreed that this song from 1979 by the Sugarhill Gang is considered the first hip-hop rap record.
Rapper's Delight
In 1977, this television movie won 9 Emmy's including an Emmy for Olivia Cole for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her performance as "Kizzy".
Roots
After making her Broadway debut in "House of Flowers" in 1954, this actress was the first African American to win a Tony Award for best actress in the musical "No Strings".
Diahann Carroll
This African American was the first black female actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in the classic "Gone With the Wind" in 1939
Hattie McDaniel
Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959, Motown Records was originally called this.
Tamla Records
Becoming the first African American woman to ever win an Emmy, this actress took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1970 for her role in "Mannix".
Gail Fisher
This actress won a Tony Award in 1968 for playing the title role in the theatre production of "Hello Dolly". She would later recreate the entire production with an all black cast.
Pearl Bailey