I was fortunate enough to spend time with Nichelle Nichols on two separate occasions. Both times were Star Trek conventions where she was one of the guests of honor. At the time (1989 & 1990) the Star Trek convention scene was dealing with declining attendance and wouldn't start picking up again until Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season.

Because of this, I had the unique opportunity to end up seated just a few seats away from where Nichelle was seated. I was fifteen at the time and didn't have the greatest self-esteem but I'd been a huge fan of Nichelle's ever since I began watching the original series when I was five. On top of that, I had my copy of Uhura's Song by Janet Kegan with me and wanted to get it signed as it was (and still is) one of my favorite Stek Trek novels. I swallowed my nervousness and when the Q&A was through I went over to say hello. Nichelle turned toward me and she had the most amazing smile on her face. She saw me coming and rather than treat me as just another fan looking for an autograph she thanked me for coming and began asking me questions about how long I'd been a fan, what my favorite episodes were, and where I was from.

We probably only talked for maybe ten or fifteen minutes but the charm, kindness, gracefulness, and appreciation I felt radiating from here was unforgettable. When I returned to the next convention the following year she was there again and while I was happy to see her again I wasn't expecting her to remember who I was. Imagine my surprise when she saw me approaching and I saw recognition light up her face. She smiled and addressed me by my first name, saying how delighted she was to see me again.

I wasn't wearing a name badge and while I've always been big and tall I never would have expected someone who saw so many thousands of people a year to remember me. I began to tear up and the first thing she did was take my hand and begin patting it to comfort me. She asked me how I was, asked about my family, and our conversation from the year before pretty much picked up right where it had left off.

I didn't stay long-I didn't want to overstay my welcome or take away from anyone else's time plus I knew my aunt was waiting for me outside. When I thanked her for being so kind to me she smiled and said. "No...thank you for being so kind to me. It's because of you and others like you I'm able to have all this."

She was funny...compassionate...considerate...and above all else the kind of human who represented the best of what we can be. My heart is heavy knowing she's gone but I'll never forget Nichelle or how much she's done not just to help make me a better person but in terms of helping humanity be the best it can be as well.

In my heart she will always live long, and prosper.