11. Oscar Micheaux, Filmmaker
Before Spike Lee or Tyler Perry, there was Oscar Micheaux. A prolific independent filmmaker, he wrote and directed over 40 films between 1919 and 1948. While many of his films have been lost and were not widely discussed at the time of their release due to white fears of racial unrest, Micheaux is now regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the silent era. His films were incredibly provocative, often featured mixed-race romances, white villains, and intelligent black heroes. In an age where the horrifying Birth of a Nation was a prominent film, Micheaux must have been a breath of fresh air for black audiences.
