1940s to 1950s - Ethel Waters became one of the first black actresses on TV.
Show business loved Ethel Waters, who could sing, dance, and act. But racism throttled her career in the way that still affects black actors: a very limited choice of roles. Waters ultimately came under fire from her own community for the stereotypical nature of some of the characters she played, characters like the servant in TV show Beulah or the grandmother in film Pinky, but picked up an Emmy and Oscar nominations as best supporting actress nonetheless.
Watch: https://timeline.com/history-ethel-waters-jazz-hollywood-black-history-c976f3459218
