"I've learned that the most important thing in life is to be true to yourself."

"I'm a survivor. I'm a black woman. I am a writer. I am a poet. I am a dancer. I am a singer. I am a cook. I am a mother. I am a lover. I am a friend. I am a human being. I am a lot of things. And I'm …"

"I'm not a religious person. I'm a spiritual person. I believe in a higher power, but I don't believe in organized religion."

"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."

"I'm not a perfect mother. I'm a good mother. And I love my son more than anything in the world."