Yeah, TIS, "Amos & Andy" was one of the early pioneers with blacks on tv. It was thought to be a politically UNcorrect show, though, and I think the NAACP bought up the rights to the show vowing to never air it again.

Nat King Cole starred in his own variety show in the mid 50s.

Bill Cosby is generally regarded as the first black to co-star in a major series and that came in the mid 60s ("I Spy").