I always say that my artist statement is to not be afraid to talk about the messiness - the unpleasant feelings and happenings around my life.

There's so much about the strong black woman stereotype that makes us forget that we do need and deserve help and care.

I always say that my artist statement is to not be afraid to talk about the messiness - the unpleasant feelings and happenings around my life.

So much of the world and the systems that we live within are made to keep us from feeling like we're free. The way that black women in American came to be is just diametrically opposed to being free.

I really hope that people feel permission to talk about their own troubles, but also to celebrate themselves.

I've been thinking a lot about folks denying what has happened in history, or just not acknowledging it.

And I would stop and take you in, all of you, and when our eyes lock we'd just stare into each other's souls and all of the lost time would come out in the shape of a big smile, a few tears and a tight hug that feels like...I don't know, it would feel like home.