<Tr> <Td_colspan="5"> Academy Award for Best Director </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Year </Th> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Film </Th> <Th> Status </Th> <Th> Milestone </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1991 </Td> <Td> John Singleton </Td> <Td> Boyz n the Hood </Td> <Td> Nominated </Td> <Td> First African - American to be nominated for Best Director . Youngest person ever nominated in this category (age 24). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2009 </Td> <Td> Lee Daniels </Td> <Td> Precious </Td> <Td> Nominated </Td> <Td> Second African - American to earn a Best Director nomination . First African - American director to earn a Best Picture nomination . </Td> </Tr>

Who was the first african-american and the youngest person ever to be nominated for best director