At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.

When it looks like the sun isn't going to shine any more, God puts a rainbow in the clouds. Each one of us has the possibility, the responsibility, the probability to be the rainbow in the clouds.

Black women have not historically stood in the pulpit, but that doesn't undermine the fact that they built the churches and maintain the pulpits.

Take the blinders from your vision take the padding from your ears and confess you've heard me crying and admit you've seen my tears.

The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.

My mother raised me, and then freed me.