
Nichelle Nichols
Officer Lt. Uhura on the legendary TV series "Star Trek"
Nichelle Nichols began her professional singing and dancing career in her home town, Chicago, at the tender age of 14. As a teenager she was discovered by the great Duke Ellington, who hired her to choreograph and perform a ballet for one of his musical suites, and finished the tour as his lead singer. Nichelle…
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Nichelle Nichols began her professional singing and dancing career in her home town, Chicago, at the tender age of 14. As a teenager she was discovered by the great Duke Ellington, who hired her to choreograph and perform a ballet for one of his musical suites, and finished the tour as his lead singer.
Nichelle has performed in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including guest artist with Lionel Hamptons band.
When Nichelle was cast by Gene Roddenberry to create Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura, fourth in command of the Starship Enterprise, in his legendary TV series Star Trek in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King it became The first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history. Nichelle subsequently co-starred in six blockbuster Star Trek motion pictures and is still in constant demand to appear before millions of Trekkers who keep the dream alive around the world.
Among her many notable TV and film credits, she co-starred with Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn in the Disney motion picture Snow Dogs, with Ron Perlman and Daniel Riordan in the TV film Captain Zoom in Outer Space, and with Maxwell Caulfield and Levar Burton in the Sandy Howard film The Supernaturals, as well as singing and dancing with Sammy Davis Jr. in Porgy and Bess. Nichelle also co-starred on the NBC blockbuster television series Heroes as Micahs grandmother Nana in the New Orleans storyline during Season 2.
Nichelles recent work in several independent features has allowed her to portray other challenging and varied characters. Among them, This Bitter Earth with Billy Dee Williams and Richard Roundtree, Tru Loved, co-starring with Jasmine Guy, The Torturer, a powerful three-character film/play that examines the psychological effect of our presence in Iraq, and Lady Magdelenes, in which Nichelle both starred and Executive Produced. Lady Magdalenes also showcases Nichelles talent as a singer and songwriter with two of her original compositions being used in the film.
She was twice nominated for the coveted Sarah Siddons Award for Best Actress for her performances in the theatre productions of Jenets The Blacks and the Oscar Brown Jr. musical Kicks and Company. She starred in the touring Broadway hits, Horowitz and Mrs. Washington, and Nunsense II. In her one-woman show, Reflections, she becomes twelve legendary female entertainers, using her beautiful three-octave vocal range to rave reviews.
Nichelle was guest soloist with the Erie Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra for their 80th Anniversary Celebration as well as the solo artist with the Symphony Orchestra of the California State University-Northridge, where she previously was commencement speaker for their School of Arts.
Nichelle was awarded her much deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 1992. Just a few weeks before she became the first African-American to place her handprints and signature in the cement walk at the famous Manns (Graumans) Chinese Theatre along with her other command crew members of the Starship Enterprise who were also honored in a special exhibit at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, an unprecedented accolade for the entertainment industry.
Nichelles autobiography Beyond Uhura; her first sci-fi novel Saturns Child; and its sequel Saturnas Quest received critical acclaim. Nichelle was conferred a Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, from Marywood College on their 80th anniversary at which she delivered the commencement address. In July 2002 she was inducted as an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Nichelles public service activities have been equally outstanding. In 1977 and 1978, under contract to NASA, Nichelle successfully recruited the first women and minority astronauts for the Space Shuttle Program, for which she received NASAs distinguished Public Service Award for her pioneering efforts. She serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the National Space Society. Nichelle continues to be a staunch supporter of Dr. Mae Jemison, the 1st woman of color astronaut, and Dr. Jemisons formidable youth foundation The Earth We Share. In 2004 Nichelle was selected as one of the International Human Rights Consortiums Fete dExcellence Laureates.
NASA and Nichelle are once again working together. Their focus is on President Obamas STEM Initiative which encourages Americas youth to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math as the US once again takes leadership in the advancement and exploration of space . At the behest of NASA Nichelle has joined with Ivor Dawson, the Founder of the Traveling Space Museum, to make appearances at numerous schools as well as NASA Ames Research Center in California, Johnson Space Center in Houston TX, Cape Kennedy in Florida, and NASA Headquarters in Washington DC to support STEM education and other youth oriented programs.
In addition to her work with NASA Nichelle is currently working with filmmaker Gilbert Bell on his new film project Omaha Street, with Nichelle serving in the dual role of star and Executive Producer.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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