The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have a long history of recognizing the contributions of Black actors, filmmakers, and other industry professionals in film. While there have been many notable moments and achievements for Black individuals at the Oscars, it is important to acknowledge that the Academy Awards have also faced criticism and controversy for their lack of diversity and representation over the years.

Some key moments in Black Oscar history include:

1. Hattie McDaniel: In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award, taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind."

2. Sidney Poitier: In 1964, Sidney Poitier made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Lilies of the Field."

3. Halle Berry: In 2002, Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Monster's Ball."

4. Jordan Peele: In 2018, Jordan Peele won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his groundbreaking film "Get Out," becoming the first Black writer to win in that category.

Despite these historic wins, the Academy Awards have often been criticized for their lack of diversity and representation. The #OscarsSoWhite movement, launched in 2015 by April Reign, highlighted the systemic issue of underrepresentation of people of color in the film industry and among Oscar nominees and winners.

In recent years, there have been efforts by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to increase diversity and inclusion in the industry, including expanding the membership and voting base of the Academy to be more representative of the population at large.

While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that the Oscars and the film industry as a whole are more inclusive and equitable for all individuals, including Black artists and professionals.