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 for Kids: Learn about a true story of courage from the 1960s, showing how one woman stood for equality on one of the most popular shows on television.
• The Power of Representation: See why it was so important for millions to see Lieutenant Uhura, a smart and capable Black woman, on the bridge of the starship Enterprise.
• A Historic Meeting: Discover the pivotal conversation Nichelle Nichols had with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that convinced her to stay on Star Trek.
• Inspiring Women in Space: Follow Nichelle's real-life mission with NASA to recruit the next generation of pioneers, including future astronauts like Sally Ride and Dr. Mae Jemison.