I wish I had known that education is the key. That knowledge is power. Now I pick up books and watch educational shows with my husband. I'm seeing how knowledge can elevate you.

I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in all of my hotel rooms.

Believe in yourself when nobody else does.

You have to create different things, either through lighting or changing the format of the songs and how you're going to sing them, and even sometimes props.

I do consider myself part of black history.

It's that first step-getting out the door-that's the toughest. If you can do that, you've already won.

As a kid, I dreamed about being onstage.