There's a group of 12 oak trees on my property in California that I call 'my disciples.' Their branches form a canopy over the ground, and I sit underneath them for inspiration.

A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.

Some women have a weakness for shoes... I can go barefoot if necessary. I have a weakness for books.

You become what you believe.

If you believe you can only go so far, it is an obstacle.

My father turned my life around insisting I be more than I was and by believing I could be more.

The expectation of my life was that I might be able to work for some good white folks. Now I got some good white folks working for me.