Nichelle Nichols

Nichelle Nichols (born Grace Dell Nichols; December 28, 1932) is an American actress, singer, and voice artist. She sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before turning to acting. Nichols played Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek television series, as well as the succeeding motion pictures. Nichols's role was groundbreaking as a future role-model for African American female characters on American television. She also worked to recruit diverse astronauts to NASA, including women and ethnic minorities.