My voice is my gift. And Pops had me using it in the right way. I had many offers to sing pop, to sing rhythm and blues. Pops said "Mavis, this record company want to give you a million dollars." I said, "No daddy, I want to sing with the family." And I did. I never wanted to branch out by myself. But I've had to now. It's my mission. I've been left here to do it. And I'm grateful.

Well Lord, I'm still on the case. I'm still doing what Dr. King and Pops want me to do. I'm still on that freedom highway, and I'm going to walk on it until Dr. King's dream is realized.

I'm singing these songs to inspire you, to keep you going, to lift you up and give you a reason to get up in the morning

We stay strong. We stay positive, keep our heads up, love one another, spread love. The Devil can't win when you have God on your side.

I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.

I'm just singing what I feel in my heart.

I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.