If you are explaining, you are losing.

I do think, however, that there's a very diverse point of view in the African-American community. There's a lot of different voices that need to be heard. I don't claim and pretend to know the thoughts and opinions and ideas of all African-Americans.

My father taught that the only helping hand you're ever going to be able to rely on is the one at the end of your sleeve.

Education is a bipartisan issue that concern all communities of color and should be first, last and always about the student learning.

It takes a lot of strength to let go.

In 1989 when I switched from Democrat to Republican, with God as my witness, not one thing changed about what I believed about one man and one woman in a marriage or about diversity of color. That's a good thing.

I'm secure in who I am. I don't need the validation of those that would say, you have to be a certain thing in order to be accepted. I'm comfortable going against the grain if I need to.