Black History Milestones at the Oscars

Steve McQueen – Best Picture Winner

Steve McQueen was the most recent iconic African American Oscar winner. Although he didn’t win for Best Director he did win for Best Picture for “12 Years A Slave.” Although it does happen, it’s usually common for the director of the Best Picture to take Best Director as well.

While McQueen did not win Best Director, he was the producer for “12 Years A Slave” making him the first African American producer to take home an Oscar.

Other Notable African Americans Oscar Winners/Nominees

Jamie Foxx – Best Actor (Ray)

Forest Whitaker – Best Actor (Last King of Scotland)

Louis Gossett, Jr. – Best Supporting Actor (An Officer and a Gentleman)

Whoopi Goldberg – Best Supporting Actress (Ghost)

Jennifer Hudson – Best Supporting Actress (Dreamgirls)

Mo’Nique – Best Supporting Actress (Precious)

Octavia Spencer – Best Supporting Actress (The Help)

Lupita Nyong’o – Best Supporting Actress (12 Years A Slave)

T. J. Martin – Best Documentary (Undefeated)

Roger Ross Williams – Best Documentary Short (Music by Prudence)

John Ridley – Best Writing Adapted Screenplay (12 Years A Slave)

While the African American presence at the Academy Awards has definitely grown, the winners list still has quite the gap. One thing that we have learned over the years is that true talent exists outside of race, color, or sex. Maybe one day we can all judge a person’s talent by talent alone.