My mother raised me, and then freed me.

I want to be representative of my race-the human race. I have a chance to show how kind we can be, how intelligent and generous we can be.

The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think.

In so many ways, segregation shaped me, and education liberated me.

I believe in living a poetic life, an art full life. Everything we do from the way we raise our children to the way we welcome our friends is part of a large canvas we are creating.

We have it in us to be splendid.

Remember, people will judge you by your actions not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold but so does a hard-boiled egg.