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1. Taraji P. Henson – ‘Two-Faced’

The NAACP Image Award winner will also star in the film as the mother of Joy, a Black high school senior who calls on her friends to help expose her popular and charismatic school principal who threatens her chances to attend the college of her dreams after confronting him with evidence of his racist past.

2. Regina King – ‘One Night in Miami’

The film, which is based on true events and the stage play by Kemp Powers, follows a young Cassius Clay — before he went by Muhammad Ali — after he becomes boxing’s new heavyweight world champion. Although hundreds of people flood Miami Beach’s hotspots to celebrate, Clay has no other option than to spend the night at the Hampton House Motel in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood as a result of the Jim Crow-era segregation laws. With help from three of his friends, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, they celebrate his monumental win and define a new world.

3. Robert Townsend – ‘Hollywood Shuffle’

A satirical approach about the racial stereotypes of African American actors in Hollywood, Townsend made his directorial debut with ‘Hollywood Shuffle.’ He is now credited with over 40 directing credits and counting.

4. Kenya Barris – Richard Pryor Biopic

Black-ish creator Kenya Barris is set to make his directorial debut writing and producing the story on the life and career of Richard Pryor — the iconic comedian and actor who passed away at 65 in December 2005.

5. Martin Lawrence – ‘A Thin Line Between Love and Hate’

The 1996 romantic comedy which starred Lawrence, Regina King, Lynn Whitfield, and Bobby Brown was co-written and directed by the Maryland native. The movie follows ladies’ man Darnell Wright who learns that when you play, you have to pay, in this ‘Fatal Attraction-esque’ film.

6. Eddie Murphy – ‘Harlem Nights’

Murphy made his directorial debut in 1989 as he starred opposite Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, and Jasmine Guy. Although the movie was nominated for an Oscar for best costume design, the film was considered a disappointment for Paramount Pictures and has an approval rating of 21% on Rotten Tomatoes.

7. Denzel Washington – ‘Antwone Fisher’

The Academy Award winner made his directorial debut in 2002 by telling the true story of Antwone Fisher, a U.S. Navy sailor prone to violent outbursts who is sent to a Naval psychiatrist (Washington). With the help of the psychiatrist, he confronts his traumatic childhood experience while finding a family of his own.

8. Spike Lee – ‘She’s Gotta Have It’

The black-and-white comedy-drama that launched Lee’s career. The budget for the film was $175,000 and grossed over $7 million.

9. John Singleton – ‘Boyz N The Hood’

The late director made his debut with the 1991 cult classic. Singleton later went on to direct ‘Poetic Justice’, ‘Higher Learning’, ‘Baby Boy’, and more.

10. Essence Atkins – ‘Christmas Dilemma’

Christmas Dilemma follows a newlywed couple Jay and Monica as they struggle to decide which set of in-laws they should join for their first Christmas. Unbeknownst to them, the decision is made for them when their families show up at their home unexpectedly.

11. Ryan Coogler – ‘Fruitvale Station’

The story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old fatally shot by BART police, was written and directed by Coogler. This marked the first out of four films the power duo would collaborate on.

12. Tyler Perry – ‘Madea’s Family Reunion’

On its opening weekend, ‘Madea’s Family Reunion’ opened at number one at the box office with over $30.3 million and grossed $65 million. Other than 2005 and 2015, the multihyphenate has had a director credit since his 2002 directorial debut.

13. Forest Whitaker – ‘Waiting to Exhale’

Starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett, a score composed by Babyface, and based off of Terry McMillan’s New York Times Bestseller, Whitaker hit the ball out of the park in his feature film directorial debut.

14. Ice Cube – ‘The Players Club’

The movie that solidified LisaRaye McCoy’s career in Hollywood was written and directed by the Los Angeles native. The movie debuted at number five and the soundtrack peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 charts.

15. Beyoncé – ‘Black Is King’

Filmed across three continents, the musical film and visual album was directed, written, and executive produced by the Grammy-winning artist.