The first book of its kind, this encyclopedia provides 360 biographical entries on African American film and television actresses from the silent era to 2009. It includes entries on well-known and nearly forgotten actresses, running the gamut from Academy Award and NAACP Image Award winners to B-film and blaxpoitation era divas. Each entry is accompanied by a complete filmography of the actress' TV, film, music video or short film credits. The book also features more than 180 photographs, some of them rare images from Harlem's Schomburg Institute and other sources.