"The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of your time."

"Racism is a distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you from thinking you’re not good enough or that you’re not worthy."

"She was a nice lady, a good mother. But she was a black woman. And she couldn't fly."

"I think of myself as an American writer."

"I never asked to be a spokesperson. I just write books."