The Oscar have begun to finally recognize some black actors and actresses in the last few years. We all know Denzel Washington and Halle Berry won best actor and actress a few years ago with Will Smith also being nominated for Ali in the same year. The following year Queen Latifah received a supporting actress nod for Chicago and last year Djimon Hounsou received a supporting actor nomination for In America. I remember reading this was the first time that black actors/actresses had been nominated three years in a row.

Which brings us to this year. Jamie Foxx is the front-runner for a win with Ray and could also receive a supporting nom. for Collateral. Don Cheadle might get his first nomination for Hotel Rwanda. Morgan Freeman is likely for a nomination and even a win in Million Dollar Baby.

Regarding actresses, Sharon Warren could be a surprise nominee for best supporting actress in Ray, and Sophie O. (sorry, forgot to look up her name) could also slip in the supporting category if Hotel Rwanda goes over well with the Academy. Irma P. Hill is a distant possibility for The Ladykillers.

Another positive sign is that some films about black icons and social issues are strong possibilities for a best picture nomination. Ray and Hotel Rwanda both have chances of getting a best picture nomination after recent snubs for films like The Hurricane and Malcolm X.

What do you think everyone's chances for wins and nominations are?

I don't think it's the Oscars as much as the films themselves are now more viable in the marketplace and people are searching out for films that provide them with a different perspective. And also, the African American audience is being courted with all kinds of options now.

I don't think African American cinema has really taken it as seriously as was needed to garner the kind of attention from the white audience, but that has been very much been changing rapildly in the last 10 or 20 years. If Malcolm X was released now, there would be no question it would be nominated for Best Picture, etc.

Of course, Sidney Poitier (sorry spelling) was doing it YEARS ago, bringing class and elegance to the screen, but it's really these second and third generation actors who are applying the lessons, playing the game, and ending up producing some great stuff.

This is going to be a good year for African American actors. Jamie Foxx is a near lock for two noms (Collateral and Ray) while Morgan Freeman is a lock for a Best Sup. Actor nomination in Million Dollar Baby. I am certain, Don Cheadle will get a nom for Hotel Rwanda as well.

And it's not just African American's who are garnering nominations either. Last year, there was Ken Watanabe, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Benicio Del Toro, and Ben Kingsley (The later two of course winning before). But it's amazing just how far ethnic groups have come.

Here's hoping an Asian actor/actress will win soon. Maybe for Memoirs of a Geisha.