1 / 14

On the Come Up - The Oscar nominations put a glaring spotlight on the lack of diversity in Hollywood, but in honor Black History Month we'd rather focus on all the talented Black actors and filmmakers ready to make their mark. Here's our roundup of who's on the verge of making a breakthrough. (Photos from Left: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos from Left: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

2 / 14

Jussie Smollett - Like his younger sister Jurnee Smollett, Jussie began acting at a young age in films like The Mighty Ducks and North. The actor got his big break last year when he was tapped to play the openly gay R&B musician Jamal Lyon in Empire. Jussie's character is among the most talked-about on the hit series, and we expect some major moments from him this season. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

3 / 14

Leslie Jones - When Leslie Jones won a "Funniest Person on Campus" competition during college, she vowed to "become the next Eddie Murphy." A couple of decades and a few false starts later, Jones now works on the same stage that catapulted Murphy to fame — as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. The statuesque comedian will soon do a little catapulting herself as part of the ensemble for the Paul Feig-directed Ghostbusters reboot. Jones is closer than ever to achieving her goal. (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC)

4 / 14

Justin Simien - Before he turned 30 years old, Justin Simien directed the most talked-about film of the year, the Sundance winner Dear White People. The racial satire is a bold statement from a first-time director, with many calling the young filmmaker his generation's Spike Lee.  (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

5 / 14

Colman Domingo - It's about time the public wakes up to what the best directors in Hollywood — from Steven Spielberg to Ava DuVernay — already know: Colman Domingo is one of the most talented actors on the scene. The Philly native is a regular in Spike Lee joints, and will next be seen as a civil rights leader and confidante of MLK Jr. in the upcoming Selma. The actor is also a Broadway actor and Tony nominee.(Photo: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images)

6 / 14

Gugu Mbatha-Raw - The British beauty has had a breakthrough year, starting with a starring role in the period drama Belle and culminating with Beyond the Lights, which hits theaters November 15. Next year, Mbatha-Raw graduates to the big leagues with a a trio of films: The Whole Truth, opposite Keanu Reeves and Rene Zellweger, the Wachowski's Jupiter Ascending with Channing Tatum and as Will Smith's leading lady in an as-yet-untitled football drama. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

7 / 14

Jerrod Carmichael - Just six years after he dropped in on open mic night at LA's famed The Comedy Story, Carmichael is taking the world of standup by storm. The comedian has some high-level fans, from Seth Rogen to Spike Lee, who directed his first HBO special, and has been fast-tracked for TV stardom in his own comedy pilot of NBC. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW)

8 / 14

Michael Che - This standup comedian and SNL writer became comedy's Chosen One this fall when he was tapped to take over for Seth Meyers as the anchor of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update. We know what that post did for the careers of Meyers and his predecessor Tina Fey, so we expect big things from Che. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

9 / 14

Sasheer Zamata - But Michael Che isn't the only exciting new addition to the SNL family. Zamata, who landed a spot on the sketch series after fans pointed out the show's lack of Black female talent, has proven that she belongs among comedy's biggest legends. Zamata has already cracked us up with her impersonations of Rihanna and Scandal's Olivia Pope.(Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy Central)

10 / 14

FKA Twigs - The tabloids know her as Twilight star Robert Pattinson's girlfriend, but music insiders are onto the truth: that this British recording artist is the next big thing to hit the sound scene. With the release of her debut album LP 1, Twigs has attracted some serious fans, including fellow Brit Adele, who made a rare public appearance to attend Twigs' show.(Photo: John Phillips/Getty Images)

11 / 14

Alexandra Shipp - Shipp is an actress who isn't afraid of ruffling a few feathers. She dove head-first into the controversial role of Aaliyah in the biopic of the R&B princess and will follow it up with a part in the Ice Cube-produced NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. The young star is learning very early on how to deal with haters with class and grace. You know what they say, if they ain't shooting at you, you're doing something wrong.  But she landed a big role as playing Storm in the prequel to X-Men. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for MTV)

12 / 14

O'Shea Jackson, Jr. - Ice Cube's lookalike son is getting his first big break playing, of all things, his father in the upcoming NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. Though young O'Shea has big shoes to fill — his dad is a rap legend and a successful actor — we don't doubt the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

13 / 14

Sergio Harford - This Bermuda-born, South Carolina-raised actor hit the ground running early in his career by landing a role opposite Halle Berry in the Steven Spielberg-produced series Extant, but we don't think it's beginner's luck. With his killer smile, charisma and acting chops, we think we'll be seeing a lot more of Harford on the big and small screens. (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

14 / 14

Alfred Enoch - Shonda Rhimes' How to Get Away With Murder features some of the most recognizable faces from film and television, includig leading lady Viola Davis, but it's Harry Potter alum Alfred Enoch, who plays a law student in Davis' class, who is the show's standout. We'll be looking for the British actor not only in primetime, but at the Emmys! (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images