Once my loved one accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can't we, as a nation, begin to speed up that process? We need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans. The message must go on billboards and in radio and TV public service announcements. It must be preached from pulpits and discussed in community forums. It's not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.

My color is my joy and not my burden.

As I grow older part of my emotional survival plan must be to actively seek inspiration instead of passively waiting for it to find me.

When we finally stop asking America to love us and begin to love ourselves, we will prosper as a people.

Forgiveness is the key to the recovery of the soul.

Discipline is the servant of inspiration.

You live your life between your ears.