Failure is a word I don't accept.
My mother was the influence in my life. She was strong; she had great faith in the ultimate triumph of justice and hard work. She believed passionately in education.
Every day I run scared. That's the only way I can stay ahead.
I decided once and for all that I was going to make it or die.
It's not what the dream is but what the dream does.
When I go in to see people - and I sell an occasional ad now - I never say, 'Help me because I am black' or 'Help me because I am a minority.' I always talk about what we can do for them.