Do you know that other than my father, I've never had a man take care of me?

I look at the careers of people I'm standing on the shoulders of. People like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and Sarah Vaughan. These are icons I wanted to emulate, and I feel like they've been holding me up for quite a long time.

I've had some incredible moments in my life - thus far. I hope a lot more are coming.

I don't think there's anything I can't do. I have no regrets.

I have been blessed with some incredible compositions to record and perform and all of my songs have had the ability to grow as I and those who have supported this career of mine for these 50 years have.

It is frustrating to be a Black woman in the entertainment industry.

Dust does rise, doesn't it? And so can I.