To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights

A CCBC 2024 Choices for the Historical People, Places, and Events selection! Perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Mae Among the Stars! To Boldly Go tells the true story of Nichelle Nichols and how she used her platform on Star Trek to inspire and recruit a new generation of diverse astronauts and many others in the space and STEM fields. As Lieutenant Uhura on the iconic prime-time television show Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols played the first Black female astronaut anyone had ever seen on-screen. A smart, strong, independent Black woman aboard the starship Enterprise was revolutionary in the 1960s, when only white men had traveled to outer space in real life and most Black characters on TV were servants. Nichelle not only inspired a generation to pursue its dreams but also opened the door for the real-life pioneering astronauts Sally Ride, Dr. Mae Jemison, and more. This empowering tribute to the trailblazing pop culture icon reminds us of the importance of perseverance and the power of representation in storytelling. You just might be inspired to boldly go where no one like you has ever gone before! Black History Icon: Discover the true story of Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers on screen as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek at a time when most Black characters on TV were servants. Women in STEM: Learn how Nichelle’s powerful on-screen presence inspired a generation of real-life astronauts, including Dr. Mae Jemison and Sally Ride, to reach for the stars. The Power of Representation: See how a pivotal conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. convinced Nichelle to stay on the show, proving that seeing ourselves in stories can change the world. NASA Partnership: Find out how Nichelle later partnered with NASA to help recruit the first women and minority astronauts, changing the face of space exploration forever.