Nat King Cole becomes first African-American to host nationwide show

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/timeline-black-hollywood-firsts/

While Ethel Waters was the first African-American to star in her own television show, Nat King Cole was the first African-American to have a nationwide show. The variety program, which was aptly titled ‘The Nat ‘King’ Cole Show’, debuted on NBC in 1956, but was unfortunately canceled a short year later due to lack of sponsorship.