Amazon.com description: Product Description: At the 2002 Academy Awards® ceremony, Halle Berry became the first black woman to receive the award for Best Actress. As the evening continued, Denzel Washington won Best Actor, and Sidney Poitier received an honorary award, making it an historical night for both African Americans and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. African Americans and the Oscar® profiles these actors as well as all those African Americans who paved the way as nominees or recipients of Hollywood's most prestigious award.

Beginning with Hattie McDaniel's award for Best Supporting Actress in 1939 for her role in Gone with the Wind, the book covers all nominees and recipients of the award in either the actor, actress, or director categories. Each entry, organized chronologically and by name, provides valuable information about how the role or film was viewed during its time, and also places it in historical context by drawing connections to other related awards or events in film history. In the introduction, an overview of the nomination process helps explain the historically low percentage of African Americans who have been nominated or received the honor. Also, appendixes provide lists of overlooked performances, non acting/directing nominees and winners, as well as performers of nominated songs.

This book is a valuable resource for students of all ages, as well as an inspiring and enlightening history of the African American experience in Hollywood.

Includes 8 pages of photos.