By Mariyah Ramirez & Arlene Sanchez

February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, a time to honor the sacrifices and triumphs of the Black Americans that have shaped our nation. This year’s theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts.” We aim to celebrate that theme by spotlighting the remarkable African American producers and actors as well as the impactful movies they’ve made. Here are just a few directors and actors who have helped to celebrate African American culture in the film industry. Not only do they bring us amazing films and stories, but they also educate us on black culture.

Jordan Peele

A renowned director, known for his work in both the comedy and horror genres. Through his films, he successfully sheds light on social issues like racial prejudice and police brutality in the form of astonishing plot twists. One of his better-known films, “Us,” addresses the inherent inequality of a class-based society, delving into issues such as hunger, homelessness, and poverty among the underprivileged and underrepresented. The film details a failed governmental cloning experiment as a family is confronted by their creepy doppelgangers.

George Tillman Jr.

The filmmaker behind films such as “Soul Food” and the four films in the “Barbershop” series. More recently, in 2018, he directed the movie “The Hate U Give,” based on the original novel by Angie Thomas and his own personal experiences as a young African American man. “The Hate U Give” follows a teenaged Starr Carter (played by Amandla Stenberg) as she navigates two worlds, the poor black neighborhood she lives in, and the rich white school she attends. It addresses issues of racism and police brutality as she witnesses the shooting of her childhood friend by a police officer.

Taraji P. Henson

An acclaimed actress, known for her role as Cookie Lyon in “Empire,” which revolves around the Lyon family’s struggle for power in the music and entertainment industry. In that role, she made history as the first African American to win a Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. In addition, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in “Hidden Figures,” where she plays NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson who faced frequent sexism and racism during her time with NASA.

Michael B. Jordan

Actor and director, known for his roles as Adonis in “Creed” and Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther.” However, he is someone who works to bring change both on and off the screen. In many interviews, Jordan has discussed the importance of promoting black culture and diversity. He continues to advocate for black content and has recently partnered with a campaign called Change Hollywood, which invests in black talent and stories.