One day, when I was about eight years old, some kids pushed me on stage at school during a talent show because they knew I could sing.

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.

There's still injustice happening in my world. I sing my songs at concerts and I'm so grateful that the people are ready to hear them.

I'm so blessed that I can still be here to bring the music and have new generations of fans. My Pops would be so proud.

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.

Whenever somebody tells me they want me to stop singing, I'm gone.

I would get in fights a lot. My voice was so heavy, kids would say you sound like a boy, so I would start beating them up.