African Americans have come a long way in a relatively short time in the entertainment industry. From Hattie McDaniel becoming the first black actor to win an Academy Award in 1939 to the trailblazing success of Sidney Poitier in the 1960s, African Americans have consistently broken through show business barriers on the march towards equality. As Frederick Douglass once said, "Without struggle, there is no progress."

Over the years, progress was certainly made in Hollywood, especially on the small screen. In fact, the year 1990 saw a great influx of black talent on television. That...