While reflecting upon Black history and the arc of racism, it’s important to contextualize it within our own front yard: the entertainment industry. The Black community has faced discriminatory barriers as far back as we can see — ranging from the dehumanization of Blackface, the bigotry of segregation, to prejudiced stereotyping, and beyond — that made not only participation, but also diverse representation, in entertainment a daunting and unjust mountain to climb. We still have many more mountains to recognize and climb today.

In honor of the historical struggle that the Black community has faced in our industry, here are just a few of entertainment’s Black trailblazers, who helped pave the way for people of color on the stage, on screen, on paper, and behind the camera today. Click thru to learn tidbits about the incredible contributions and momentous occasions that they graced us with!

May we all continue to work together to break down racial barriers, and create inclusive and diverse spaces for Black art and artists to flourish.