![Halle Berry](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Halle-Berry-social-image.jpg?quality=100)
Happy Black History Month! Celebrate excellence in Black Hollywood with a look back on history-making moments for Black actors, filmmakers, writers, and more.
The excellence of Black Hollywood can not be understated and with Black History Month upon us, it’s time to celebrate monumental moments in movie and TV history. While Black filmmakers and actors have been at the forefront of on-screen entertainment, there is no denying that it took the industry far too long to honor Black talents across genres. An example: While Hattie McDaniel was the first Black woman to win an Oscar in 1950, it wouldn’t be until 2002 that Halle Berry earned her own Academy Award as a leading lady.
As we celebrate Black History Month, learn about the most historic moments for Black actors, writers, filmmakers, and entertainers in our gallery here.
Cicely Tyson
![Cicely Tyson](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cicely-Tyson-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Oscar Micheaux
![Oscar Micheaux](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Oscar-Micheaux-ss.jpg?w=680)
James Baskett
![James Baskett](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/James-Baskett-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Gail Fisher
![Gail Fisher](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Gail-Fisher-ss.jpg?w=680)
Sidney Poitier
![Sidney Poitier](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sidney-Poitier-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Gordon Parks Jr.
![Gordon Parks Jr.](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Gordon-Parks-ss.jpg?w=680)
Harry Belafonte
![Harry Belafonte](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Harry-Belafonte-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Hattie McDaniel
![Hattie McDaniel](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hattie-McDaniel-ss.jpg?w=680)
Whoopi Goldberg
![Whoopi Goldberg](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Whoopi-Goldberg-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Juanita Hall
![Juanita Hall](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Juanita-Hall-ss.jpg?w=680)
John Singleton
![John Singleton](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/John-Singleton-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Julie Dash
![Julie Dash](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Julie-Dash-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Lena Waithe
![Lena Waithe](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lena-Waithe-ss.jpg?w=680)
Ethel Waters
![Ethel Waters](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ethel-Waters-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Arsenio Hall
![Arsenio Hall](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Arsenio-Hall-ss01.jpg?w=680)
Halle Berry
![Halle Berry](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Halle-Berry-ss.jpg?w=680)
Mj Rodriguez
![Mj Rodriguez](https://hollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MJ-Rodriguez-ss.jpg?w=680)