Nina Simone was a Civil Rights activist.
Nina (2016 film) . The film focuses on American musician and civil rights activist Nina Simone , portrayed by Zoe Saldana . Nina Simone ( [ ˈniːnə_sᵻˈmoʊn ] born Eunice Kathleen Waymon ; February 21 , 1933 -- April 21 , 2003 ) was an American singer , songwriter , pianist , arranger , and activist in the Civil Rights Movement .