The Legacy of Nichelle Nichols, A Nasa Trailblzaer and Star Trek Phenomena
How one lady led the way for Black Women to enter NASA Program.
The entertainment industry and NASA have lost a key player and game changer, Nichelle Nichols, 1932–2022. She could be also known as a gentle giant who possessed classiness inside and out and was an activist for change for women and people of color.
Had the opportunity to have met her and was so impressed by how down-to-earth and approachable she was. Was in touch with her for a period of time. She was a great supporter, whenever I was performing, I would invite her, and I think she may have attended one of my shows. It has been so long, can’t exactly remember what show, when, or where. The only thing I truly recollect was that she cared about others dearly.
Nichelle was a dancer and actress who broke ground with her Star Trek role in the 60s. Interestingly, she contemplated leaving the show after its first season for a Broadway play. A chance encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at an NAACP fundraising event in Beverly Hills ended up with her remaining on the show for three seasons of “Star Trek” on TV and in six “Star Trek” movies. A year after their chance meeting, she sang at Dr. King’s funeral.
