Record Number Of African American Presenters At 2014 Oscars

This is one of the most exciting years in black film ever, and now 2014 is a record year for African American presenters at the 86th Academy Awards, or The Oscars to you and me.

Here’s a list of those fabulous African American presenters that will appear, including Harlem resident Gabourey Sidibe who was nominated for Best Actress “Precious” in 2009 and Sydney Poiter (lead photos) who won the Oscar® for Best Actor in 1963. At the age of 87, Mr. Poitier is the elder statesman of this year’s Oscars® ceremony.

Here is the list of this years African American presenters:

Gabourey Sidibe (nominated for Best Actress “Precious” 2009)

Viola Davis (twice nominated for “Doubt” 2008 and “The Help” 2011)

Jamie Foxx (winner for Best Actor for “Ray” 2004)

Whoopi Goldberg (winner for Best Supporting Actress for “Ghost” 1990)

Samuel L. Jackson (nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “Pulp Fiction” 1994)

Michael B. Jordan

Tyler Perry

Sidney Poitier (nominated for Best Actor “The Defiant Ones” 1958. Winner for Best Actor for “Lilies of the Field” 1963)

Will Smith (twice nominate for Best Actor for “Ali” 2001 and “The Pursuit of Happyness” 2006)

Kerry Washington

2014 also marks the 75th anniversary of Hattie McDaniel breaking the color barrier with her win in 1939 for “Gone with the Wind”.

Don’t just go by what we say, the demand for tickets are so high most years, the tickets for the red carpet viewing area known as the “bleacher seats,” the Academy hands out for free are already gone.

Looks like you’ll have to watch along with me March 2nd, at 7 pm on NBC with the rest of us! Here’s a full list of the Oscar nominees.