If you go through life and you don't find the beauty in an unexpected place, then you really have a sad existence.

There are enough negative images of Black women out there and I did not want to portray Dorothy Vaughn in any stereotype. I wanted to make sure that her integrity was preserved.

I was starstruck and sweat a lot when I met Oprah Winfrey and tried to hug her. Because when you think you know people when you see them from your couch.

My job as an artist is to present the material. My job as a woman is to receive from it what I need.

I want to see more women as producers.

Civil rights happened because youth got involved. The youth stood up and helped to break the pattern that their parents had got accustomed to living. The next generation has to take that stand for whatever it is, socially, that they are involved in.

I can't speak for what other artists should do. I can only tell you how I live.