In my work and in myself I reflect black people, women and men, as I reflect others. One day even the most self-protective ones will look into the mirror I provide and not be afraid.

If I'm killed - if I'm removed - there is nowhere else for me to go but to my ancestors.

Those in power must spend a lot of their time laughing at us.

Eventually I knew what hair wanted; it wanted to be itself ... to be left alone by anyone, including me, who did not love it as it was.

Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.

It matters to me that I feel loved by the universe - and I do.

You're not here just to be a clone. You're not here to be a copy. We have enough of those. You don't have to apply. You don't even have to go there to be absolutely yourself - real, here, now, on this planet.