The 2017 Academy Awards are just days away and this year’s nominees are blacker than ever!
Just a year after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the Academy has made it a point to make this year as diverse as possible. This year’s nominees include greats like multiple Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and breakout star of the year, Mahershala Ali.
In honor of Black Excellence, check out our gallery of black actors who have taken home the Oscar.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American woman to win for her role as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
2. Sidney Poitier was the first African-American male actor to take the statue home.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
3. Louis Gossett Jr. was the first African-American actor to win Best Supporting Actor.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
4. Russell Williams took home the award for Best Sound for “Glory.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
5. Denzel Washington took home his gold for his role in “Training Day.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
6. Irene Cara was the first African American to win for a non-acting role when she won for Best Original Song.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
7. Lionel Richie won Best Original Song for “Say You, Say Me.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
8. Whoopi Goldberg won for her role as a spirit medium in “Ghost.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
9. Herbie Hancock was the first African-American to win for Best Original Score.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
10. Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to win for Best Original Song.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
11. TJ Martin was the first African-American to win Best Documentary Feature.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
12. Willie D. Burton was the first African-American to win for Best Sound.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
13. Prince took home the statue for Best Original Song Score for “Purple Rain.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
14. Cuba Gooding Jr. was a bit excited when he won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Jerry Maguire.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
15. Who can forget Halle Berry’s emotional speech when she won for her impeccable acting in “Monster’s Ball.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
16. Morgan Freeman snagged himself a statute for Best Supporting Actor in “Million Dollar Baby.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
17. Jamie Foxx also tugged at heartstrings when he accepted his Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in “Ray.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
18. Forest Whitaker took home the statue for Best Actor for his role in “The Last King of Scotland.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
19. Three 6 Mafia broke the record and caused quite the stir as the first rappers to win an Oscar.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
20. Jennifer Hudson also made waves when she, as a newcomer, took home the gold for Best Supporting Actress.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
21. Geoffrey Fletcher is the first African-American to win for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Precious.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
22. Mo’nique went on to win Best Supporting Actress in the film.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
23. Roger Ross Williams is the first African-American filmmaker to win Best Documentary Short Subject.
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
24. Octavia Spencer warmed hearts when she won Best Supporting Actress for her role as no-nonsense Minny in “The Help.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
25. John Ridley won Best Adapted Screenplay for his take on “12 Years A Slave.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
26. Steve McQueen won Best Director for his work in “12 Years a Slave.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
27. Lupita Nyong’o was a fan favorite when she won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Patsey in “12 Years A Slave.”
Black Excellence: All The Black People Who Have Won Oscars was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
