Tie me up, tie me down, make me moan real loud.

I'm convinced that we Black women possess a special indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down, but to get up, to get through, and to get over.

People do see me as sweet and innocent. Not to say that I am not those things. But I have other sides to me.

Competition is great. And as long as it's friendly and not a malicious thing, then I think it's cool.

I don't believe in luck. ... It's persistence, hard work, and not forgetting your dream.

I can be happy with who I am, not what I should be, or what I might have been, or what someone tells me I must be.

Believe in yourself. Have faith in yourself because no one else is going to.

It has taken me most of my adult life to come to terms with who I am. To do that, I had to break free of attitudes that brought me down.

In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you.

The greatest achievement to any human being is to love God, yourself, and others.

Every body type is different - that's what makes you unique. What makes you special is you, and you are different from the next person.

The light of compassion opens the petals of the heart. When the petals of the heart unfold fragrance spreads across the valley.

I write because I love. I love because I write.

If you do not read the newspaper, the lack of knowledge will show. If you do read it, misconception of reality will prevail.

I've learned that I'm most powerful when I'm doing my art.

Live before you die, so that death is also a lively celebration.

Law hath dominion over all things, over universal mind and matter; For there are reciprocities of rights, which no creature can gainsay.

Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in.

If you want to be a change agent, you have to ready to fail.

God has not forgotten To give us peace. He is just waiting for us To ask for it.

I like going from one lighted room to another, such is my brain to me; lighted rooms.