Just found out that Nichelle Nichols passed away on July 30.
Haven't seen it reported anywhere until now.
She was the first black woman to have a leading role in a TV seriies, and took part in the first inter-racial on-screen kiss when Captain Kirk and Uhura kissed in an episode of Star Trek.
She had considered quitting the role, but was persuaded to stay by none other than Martin Luther King.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart...-89-180980507/