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Sonequa Martin-Green lands the lead role in Star Trek: Discovery coming to CBS this September. The Walking Dead actress known for her role as Sasha, is making history as the first Afrikan American Female Lead in a Star Trek series. Star Trek is known for it’s groundbreaking diversified characters, but they’ve not had a Female Lead driving a series, Star Trek does it again making historic diversity goals.

“…we are now a part of the conversation…”

In 1966 the end of segregation and the usage of the 1960s Civil Rights Act became wide spread nationally, and with Star Trek making it’s debut the world saw tangible change. Actress Nichelle Nichols starred as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, the first Afrikan American Star Trek cast member, and one of the first Afrikan American characters in American television, not playing a slave. Sonequa Martin as first officer Michael Burnham adds to Star Treks history, and American television.

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Sonequa Martin On Being The First Black Female Lead;

‘My casting says that the sky is the limit for all of us. I think what we’re seeing now in our media is this push to diminish and to devalue and to make people feel that the sky is not the limit for them, that they are meant for the ground….So having me as the first black female lead of a Star Trek, just blasts that into a million pieces. I am eternally grateful that the diverse casting of our show means that we are now a part of the conversation and hopefully a part of making the world a better place, as cliché as this sounds. Because I really believe it and think its vital for us all right now.‘

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