2 Equals 12

2 Equals 12

Topic: Academy Award

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have a long and complex history when it comes to recognizing Black talent in the film industry. While there have been notable wins by Black actors and filmmakers over the years, there have also been significant periods of exclusion and lack of diversity within the Academy. Here are some key moments in Black history at the Oscars:

1. Hattie McDaniel made history in 1940 as the first African American to win an Academy Award. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind."

2. Sidney Poitier became the first Black man to win the Best Actor Oscar in 1964 for his role in "Lilies of the Field." He was a trailblazer for Black actors in Hollywood.

3. In 2002, Halle Berry made history as the first African American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in "Monster's Ball."

4. In recent years, there has been a push for more diversity and inclusion at the Oscars, with campaigns such as #OscarsSoWhite drawing attention to the lack of recognition for Black artists.

5. In 2017, Moonlight made history by becoming the first film with an all-Black cast to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

Overall, while there have been some significant wins for Black talent at the Oscars, there is still work to be done to ensure greater representation and recognition for Black filmmakers, actors, and other industry professionals in Hollywood.