Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols on Uhura's Radical Impact

In the 2016 Smithsonian Channel video, "Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols on Uhura's Radical Impact," Nichelle Nichols reflects on her groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series. She discusses how her character, positioned prominently on the bridge, served as a powerful symbol during the civil rights movement, illustrating the potential for African Americans in prominent roles. The video highlights Uhura's influence on viewers, inspiring figures like Dr. Mae Jemison, who became NASA’s first African American female astronaut. Nichols also touches on the societal challenges and milestones of the era, including her role in one of television's first interracial kisses.