Paving the Way: Saluting Black Academy Award Nominees for 2017

Seems like it was just yesterday when the hashtag #oscarssowhite was trending due to the lack of diversity among nominees for Academy Awards. In other words, two years was too long to go without at least one minority nominee.

In the past, celebrities weren’t as vocal as they are today. No one questioned why all the nominees were all white. It was just…understood. Well… not any more because things are starting to change. Actors and actresses, such as Will Smith and Jaida Pinkett Smith, are no longer remaining silent.

During the 2015 Emmys, Viola Davis took a chance by giving a speech that shed light on the real issues of Hollywood. Quoting Harriet Tubman, Davis began her speech saying, “I see a line and over that line I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line. I can’t seem to get there now. I can’t seem to get over that line.” She went on to state, “But let me tell you something, the only thing that separates women of color from anything else is opportunity.”

CLICK HERE TO READ PAVING THE WAY: SALUTING BLACK GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS FOR 2017

On February 26th, the 89th annual Academy Awards will be held at 7PM ET. Click HERE for a complete list of nominees. The following nominees will represent people of color worldwide:

DENZEL WASHINGTON: Best Actor in a Leading Role & Academy Award for Best Picture – Fences

VIOLA DAVIS: Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Fences

AUGUST WILSON: Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – Fences