Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Facts for Kids

The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, Inc. (BFHFI) was created in 1974 in Oakland, California. Its main goal was to support and celebrate movies made by and about African-American people. It also wanted to remember the important work of Black artists, both actors and those working behind the scenes.

What Was the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame?

The Hall started as a volunteer project in 1974. It was part of the Oakland Museum of California's Cultural and Ethnics Affairs Guild. It quickly became popular and officially became the BFHFI in 1977.

Celebrating Black Cinema

The BFHFI helped promote Black filmmaking. They showed special early screenings of movies made by and about people of African descent. They also hosted the Oscar Micheaux Awards Ceremony. These awards were held every February in Oakland from 1974 to 1993.

Where Are the Archives Now?

In 2014, all the historical records and collections of the BFHFI were given to the Black Film Center/Archive. This archive is located at Indiana University Bloomington. It helps keep the history of Black filmmaking alive for future generations.

Honored Artists: Inductees

The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame honored many talented individuals. These people made important contributions to movies and entertainment. Here is a list of some of the artists who were inducted into the Hall of Fame:

1974 Inductees

Alvin Childress (1907–1986)
Lillian Cumber (1920–2002)
Ossie Davis (1917–2005)
Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990)
Katherine Dunham (1909–2006)
Theresa Harris (1906–1985)
Eugene Jackson (1916–2001)
William Marshall (1924–2003)
Juanita Moore (1914–2014)
Clarence Muse (1889–1979)
Gordon Parks Sr. (1912–2006)
Lincoln Theodore Perry (stage name Stepin Fetchit) (1902–1985)
Beah Richards (1920–2000)
Paul Robeson (1898–1976)
Vincent Tubbs (1915–1989)
Lorenzo Tucker (1907–1986)
Leigh Whipper (1876–1975)

1975 Inductees

Ruby Dee (1922–2014)
Allen Hoskins (1920–1980)
Hall Johnson (1888–1970)
Abbey Lincoln (1930–2010)
Hattie McDaniel (1895–1952)
Butterfly McQueen (1911–1995)
Louis S. Peterson (1922–1998)
Fredi Washington (1903–1994)

1976 Inductees

Eubie Blake (1887–1983)
Louise Beavers (1902–1962)
Oscar Micheaux (1884–1951)
Brock Peters (1927–2005)
Melvin Van Peebles (1932–2021)
Diahann Carroll (1935–2019)

1977 Inductees

Maidie Norman (1912–1998)
Cicely Tyson (1924–2021)

1978 Inductees

Benny Carter (1907–2003)
Nicholas Brothers - Fayard (1914–2006), Harold (1921–2000)
Nina Mae McKinney (1912–1967)
Sidney Poitier (1927-2022)

1979 Inductees

Lonne Elder III (1927–1996)
Earl "Fatha" Hines (1903–1983)
Herb Jeffries (1913–2014)
Etta Moten Barnett (1901–2004)
Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920–1993)
Floyd Norman (born 1935)
Diana Sands (1934–1973)
Leo D. Sullivan (1940–2023)
Paul Winfield (1939–2004)

1980 Inductees

Vinnette Carroll (1922–2002)
Ivan Dixon (1931–2008)
James Edwards (1918–1970)
William Greaves (1926–2014)
Lillian Randolph (1898–1980)
Frank Silvera (1914–1970)
Woody Strode (1914–1994)

1982 Inductees

Cab Calloway (1907–1994)

1984 Inductees

Billy Dee Williams (born 1937)

1986 Inductees

Madame Sul-Te-Wan (1873–1959)

1987 Inductees

Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925–1990)
Scatman Crothers (1910–1986)
Jeni Le Gon (1916–2012)
Ernie Morrison (1912–1989)

Additional resources

Indiana University maintains the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives.

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Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame facts for kids

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