I'm able to inspire other people, to see the potential of a career, they can look to me and see that they can do it.

Perseverance is what I tell my students. It's important that you keep your dream alive, because you're going to encounter a lot of obstacles, and no one is going to dream big for you. You have to have the fortitude and the resilience to stick with your own dreams. That can be hard.

I love working with young artists. Jacob Latimore was the first kid that I auditioned. After he walked out, I turned to my husband and said, "I think that's the kid. I don't know if I have to look any further. He's the one!" He's a real star.

I'm able to inspire other people, to see the potential of a career, they can look to me and see that they can do it.

I think Black Nativity movie has a very clear message. It's about a family in crisis facing some of the very familiar struggles we face in our communities. It's really about love, redemption, forgiveness, faith and family, the things that have gotten us through so many hard times, and that continue to get us through them. When times are hard, we need each other.

One of my foolish qualities is to jump boldly, and then think about it later.

Honestly, I do spend most of my time between films trying to get the next one made.