Nichelle Nichols was an American actress, singer, and civil rights activist, best known for her role as Uhura in the original Star Trek television series. Born on December 28, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, she broke barriers for African American women in science fiction and television during the 1960s. In addition to her acting career, Nichols worked with NASA to promote diversity in the space program, encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in science and engineering. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and the fields of science and technology.