In the entire history of the Oscars Awards, only six African Americans have been nominated for the Best Director Oscar, though as today, no black filmmaker has..
1991: John Singleton, Boyz n the Hood
First African American to be nominated for Best Director, and youngest person ever nominated in this category (age 24).
2009: Lee Daniels, Precious
Second African American to earn a Best Director nomination, and the first African-American director to earn a Best Picture nomination.
2013: Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
First black British to earn a Best Director nomination, and first black director to direct a Best Picture winning film.
2016: Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Second black director to direct a Best Picture winning film.
2017: Jordan Peele, Get Out
First African American to earn a Best Director nomination and a Best Picture nomination for a debut film.
2018: Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Co-winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay Award.