70s Trek: Star Trek In The 1970s

Nichelle Nichols was born Grace Dell Nichols in 1932 in small town near Chicago, Robbins, Illinois.  Young Grace was drawn to singing, dancing and acting early on, getting her first professional gig at the age of 14. She soon made a name for herself, meeting the big stars of the day.  This included Duke Ellington.  The musician was so impressed with her that he invited her to tour with him. After starting a family, she created her own touring show and did so well, that she was able to move her family to Los Angeles.  There she landed a part in the movie    Starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis, Jr. She soon caught the attention of casting director Joe D'Agosta (who would later do the same job on Star Trek) who hired her for a part on The Lieutenant.  This was the first show Gene Roddenberry created.  On the episode "To Set it Right," she played the wife of an African-American officer who was dealing with racism.  A big topic for 1964.  It was during this time that she and Roddenberry deve