We’re just days away from the 2026 Oscars on Sunday (March 15) and the excitement couldn’t be more palpable. As we’ve already told you, “Sinners” is expected to have a huge night seeing as how they earned a record-breaking 16 nominations–the most for any film in the Academy’s history. But that’s not the only history-making feat that we need to talk about!
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In fact, this year’s ceremony is especially poised to be a very impressive moment for Black History seemingly from top to bottom. So buckle up, we’ve got a little bit of ground to cover!
Best Director
As we previously told you, should Ryan Coogler take home the gold for Best Director, it would mark the first time ever that a Black person ever won in that category in the Academy’s 98-year history. Should “Sinners” take home the top prize for Best Picture, it would also make his wife Zinzi Coogler the first Black woman to win in the category, as she’s a producer on the film.
Best Actor
Should first-time nominee Michael B. Jordan be given the gold for Best Actor, he would become the sixth Black man to ever win in that category, joining the ranks of fellow industry greats like Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Sidney Poitier, Jamie Foxx and Forest Whitaker. Jordan’s win would also make him the first person in over 60 years to win in that category for playing twins.
The Supporting Acting Categories
With first-time nominees Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku being up for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively, for the same movie—this marks the third film to ever feature Black nominees in both categories. And if they both win, that would make it the first time in history.
For Mosaku specifically, her win would make her the first Nigerian actress to ever win in Best Supporting Actress category and also the first Nigerian to ever win an Oscar in any category. Should she or Teyana Taylor (“One Battle After Another”) win, that would mark the third year in a row that a Black woman has taken home the gold in that category. (Zoe Saldaña and Da’Vine Joy Randolph were the previous winners in 2025 and 2024, respectively.)
Additionally, if Jordan wins for Best Actor and Lindo for Best Supporting Actor, that would also mark the first time in history that it ever happened.
More History “Sinners” Could Make
If “Sinners” can rack up the gold up to take home at least 12 awards on Sunday, it could also break the record for the most Oscars won in one night. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw could also make history with her win by becoming the first woman and the first Black cinematographer to ever take home the win in that category.
On the production design front, Hannah Beachler could become the first Black woman to win twice in that category and only the second Black woman to ever win multiple competitive Oscars (alongside previous Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter.)
Speaking of Carter, if she gets the gold, that win would extend her record as the most Oscar-winning woman in history.
Other Black History That Could Be Made Outside of “Sinners”
Switching gears slightly to the Documentary categories, Alysa Payne could become the first Black woman to ever win Best Documentary Feature category for her moving project, “The Perfect Neighbor.” In the Best Documentary Short Subject category, Christalyn Hampton—who’s nominated for “The Devil Is Busy”—could also become the first Black woman to ever win in that category as well.
Whew, like we said—we had some ground to cover! As you already know though, we’re gonna be rooting for everybody Black so make sure you tune into the Oscars when it airs live on March 15, on ABC at 7p.m.ET.
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