Black women in film

Actress Gabrielle Union turned to modeling as a way to pay off her college loans. She starred opposite Kristen Dunst in "Bring It On" and has also appeared on television's "Saved by the Bell" and "City of Angels."

Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards. She began her acting career on television's "Good Times" and later went on to have a successful music career with albums such as "Control," "Rhythm Nation 1814" and "Janet." Her brother, singer Michael Jackson, died June 25, 2009.

Actress Rashida Jones arrives at the premiere of 'I Love You, Man' on March 17, 2009, in Los Angeles. She has appeared on television's "Parks and Recreation," The Office" and "Boston Public."

Actress Taraji P. Henson arrives at the premiere of "The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3" on June 4, 2009, in Los Angeles. She received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." She also appeared in "Hustle & Flow" and Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All by Myself."

Actress Maya Rudolph attends the premiere of "Shrek The Third" in 2007 in New York City. She is a former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and has a role in the 2010 film "Grown Ups."

Actress Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe arrives at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Inaugural Governors Awards on Nov. 14, 2009, in Los Angeles. Sidibe plays the title role of an abused daughter in "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saffire."

Judge Debbie Allen arrives at the finale of "So You Think You Can Dance" held at the Kodak Theater on Aug. 6, 2009, in Hollywood. Allen is best known for her role as Lydia Grant on the television series "Fame."

Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif. Nominated for an Oscar for her work in "Chicago," Latifah is making strides for black actresses in Hollywood by showing she can garner critical acclaim and big box office numbers.

Thandie Newton plays the part of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in "W,." Oliver Stone's movie about U.S. President George W. Bush. Newton won a BAFTA award for her supporting role in the 2004 film "Crash."

Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Beyonce perform during the Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on Friday, Sept. 5, in New York City. Beyonce has crossed over from music to movies with roles in films such as "Dreamgirls," "The Pink Panther" and "Austin Powers in Goldmember." Blige will play soul singer Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic, and Mariah Carey is known for her turn in the infamous "Glitter."

Jennifer Hudson holds her Oscar after winning the 2007 best supporting actress award for her work in "Dreamgirls." Hudson went from "American Idol" cast-off to Academy Award winner and has since had roles in films such as "Sex and the City" and "The Secret Lives of Bees." She also released her first album.

Rosario Dawson is an actress with range. She's appeared in films as varied as "Shattered Glass," "Sin City," "Death Proof" and "Rent." She next appears opposite Will Smith in the drama "Seven Pounds," about an IRS agent (Smith) who sets out to make amends for past mistakes by reaching out and helping strangers.

Halle Berry holds her 2002 Oscar for best actress for her role in "Monster's Ball." She was the first black actress ever to win for a female leading role. During her speech she said, "This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."

Oprah Winfrey stands with the Broadway cast of "The Color Purple." Winfrey was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg's film version of the story. She's also appeared in movies such as "Beloved," "Native Son" and lent her voice to "Charlotte's Web" and "Bee Movie."

Kerry Washington and Gina Torres pose at the afterparty for the premiere of "I Think I Love My Wife." Torres is known for her roles in TV shows such as "24" and "Alias." Washington has appeared in films such as "Lakeview Terrace," "The Last King of Scotland" and "Save the Last Dance."

Whoopi Goldberg performs onstage during the 2008 Tony Awards. Currently a co-host of "The View," Goldberg is probably best known for her Oscar-winning role in "Ghost." She's also appeared in films as varied as "Girl, Interrupted," "Sister Act," and "Ghosts of Mississippi."

Angela Bassett poses beside her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the star presentation ceremony on March 20, 2008. Bassett recently joined the cast of "ER," but is best known for her Oscar-nominated role in "What's Love Got To Do With It?" and for her work in films such as "Akeelah and the Bee," "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."

Mo'Nique has made a name for herself in comedies such as "Soul Plane," "Phat Girlz" and "Beerfest."

Vivica A. Fox recently surprised fans with a funny role on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," but is best known for films such as "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," "Soul Food" and "Independence Day."

Alicia Keys arrives at the premiere of "Secret Life Of Bees" during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. "Bees" is just Keys' third film. She also appeared in "Smokin' Aces" and "The Nanny Diaries."

Vanessa Williams was the first African-American woman crowned Miss America; she later resigned the crown when nude photos of her were made public. She bounced back first as a singer and then as an actress, appearing in films such as "Soul Food" and "Shaft." She currently appears as Wilhelmina Slater in the TV comedy, "Ugly Betty."

Wanda Sykes is best known for her role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in "The New Adventures of Old Christine." She's also had a recurring role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and appeared in films such as "License to Wed," "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" and "Monster-in-Law."

Eartha Kitt is probably best known for her role as Catwoman on the TV series "Batman." She also has had roles in over 30 films, including "Friday Foster" and "The Pink Chiquitas."

Pam Grier is best known for appearing in blaxploitation films of the 1970s, such as "Foxy Brown," "Coffy" and "Sheba, Baby." Quentin Tarantino brought her back to the masses with a winning turn in his 1997 film, "Jackie Brown." She currently co-stars on the Showtime series "The L-Word."

Whitney Houston appeared in a string of films during the mid '90s, including "Waiting to Exhale," "The Preacher's Wife" and "The Bodyguard."