It’s 1967, and singer and actress Nichelle Nichols attends a fund-raiser for the NAACP. A man approaches and says, “Ms. Nichols, I’m your greatest fan.” That fan was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During their chat, Nichols confides her plans to leave her current TV gig for a career on Broadway. King was mortified. “You can’t leave Star Trek,” he said. “You’re a part of history. You aren’t cast as a servant. You play a Black woman in authority. You’re a role model for women and Negroes everywhere.” Nichols took Dr. King’s words to heart, and stayed with the show. She made TV history again when, as part of an episode, she took part in television’s first interracial kiss.
Before Star Trek, Nichols made her name in jazz. She sang with Duke Ellington’s and Lionel Hampton’s big bands. She was a lead in Oscar Brown’s musical, “Kids and Company.” She sang in clubs all over Chicago and New York, and starred in productions of Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess.
After Star Trek, she worked tirelessly to recruit women and minorities for NASA. Her efforts inspired dozens to become astronauts, including Dr. Sally Ride – the first American woman in space, and Colonel Guion (guy-on) Bluford – the first African-American astronaut.
She’s continued to sing, recording two albums. And yes, she made it to Broadway – starring in a one-woman musical review.
“Soundtrack to the Struggle” is written and produced by Ron Adkins. Executive Producer is Dennis Green. Hosted by Hollis Monroe.
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