African American film score composers

American films have incorporated music composed by African Americans historically, incorporating genres like jazz, ragtime, and blues. With the introduction of sound film, African American music appeared in feature films, musical shorts, and early "soundies." In pre-Hollywood era films, African American composers struggled to have their music included formally as part of the score, rather than diegetic background music.

Source: Wikipedia — African American film score composers (CC BY-SA 4.0)