Nichelle Nichols has passed away. The groundbreaking actress, who first came to prominence in the role of “Lt. Uhura” in the “Star Trek” series, succumbed to natural causes at the age of 89 on July 31, 2022. Her son, Kyle Johnson, issued a statement on his mother’s official website to share the devastating news with fans. “My mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration,” he wrote. “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all. I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further. Her services will be for family members and the closest of her friends and we request that her and our privacy be respected.” More than just a life well lived, however, is the legacy she left behind. As our...

It’s no secret that “ Star Trek ” is a cinematic force in pop culture, and among its long-running franchise is actress Nichelle Nichols. She was the first Black woman to play a high-powered non-stereotypical role on primetime American television, according to The Washington Post. However, not only was she a pioneer in television, but she also trailblazed the final frontier. Theater and TV Darling Born in Illinois, Nichols gained her career in acting through her love of theater. She performed in local productions in Chicago and in small film roles. Fast forward—she toured with Duke Ellington at the age of 16—Nichols landed the groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. Famously, she admits that Martin Luther King, Jr. convinced her not to quit after the first season of the series. However, her on-screen influence, which ran from 1966 to 1991, reached far beyond the fictional alternate universe. Nichelle Nichols as Uhura in the STAR TREK episode, “Spock’s Brain.” Original airdate,...