Nichelle Nichols Tribute

Although arguably best-known for her portrayal of communications officer, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the original sci-fi television program “Star Trek“, African American actress Nichelle Nichols is likewise a formidable vocalist. She was born in 1936 in Robbins, a progressive Illinois community founded by blacks in the 1890’s. Nichelle sang with the Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton bands, then performed as a single in nightclubs. Garnering acting experience in supporting roles in such films as “Mister Buddwing“ (1965) and “Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding!“(1966) (and a bit - and uncredited - part in Otto Preminger’s silver screen adaptation of Porgy and Bess in 1959), Ms. Nichols was cast in her signature role in 1966: Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on “Star Trek“. But at the end of the first season, Nichols was poised to quit the series. She was persuaded to stay by one of Star Trek’s biggest fans: Dr. Martin Luther King, who felt that Uhura was a posit