A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it.

I made a promise to myself to be kinder to other people.

Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.

Malcolm X raised my consciousness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X.

I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.

I remember the day tDr. King died. I wasn't angry at the beginning. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished.

My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman.