I thought of singing and acting as a living-making. I was able to take care of myself and a few of my friends.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way. But the slanting process is so subtle that you frequently don't realize how you're being slanted until very late in the game.

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.

Count Basie isn't just a man, or even just a band. He's a way of life.

I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.

Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

In my early days I was a sepia Hedy Lamarr. Now I'm black and a woman, singing my own way.