As CNN saw our growth in African-American viewership, they affirmed a fundamental truth of news coverage - people will watch you if they see themselves in what you report. It doesn't hurt if the people doing the reporting look like them, too.

One thing that's certain: around the corner from every ugly thing, there's something really beautiful. If we stop at every bitter interaction; we'll never reach our destination.

If you can tell a story well, you can move people to do something.

Stories are more than compelling facts. People remember stories more than they remember statistics.

Is the capacity for cruelty inherent in all of us?

There's really no way to break that chain - other than winning the lottery. There's no realistic way to end generational poverty other than to actually educate people so that they can get the jobs, so that people can be self-sufficient. And to be self-sufficient around careers - not just jobs, but careers.

My advice to young women who are looking to be successful; make sure you're passionate about whatever it is that you're doing. And make sure you're fulfilled by the opportunities within your job.