I can only be the best version of myself and understand that the only way that we as a people can heal is to understand that the next person's journe….

As an actor, I've learned to become a detective. You have to figure out who that person is. If the character is a thief, you have to figure out what ….

I have an affinity for the law. I like looking at the small type on contracts, and if I could have afforded law school, I probably would have gone..

I prefer doing interviews where people don't have to interpret what you say. I'm going to be real honest..

The older you get, you always learn more. Sometimes it's a process of learning about yourself and what your journey is. Sometimes the process moves f….

I just think that you have to believe in yourself and you have to work very hard. You can't ever think that you're the best thing since sliced bread ….

Let's just say that I have a tendency if I am uncomfortable in a situation to speak my mind..

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

Our challenges make us unique, and how we deal with them makes us unique..

What's not fair is having the responsibility of a supervisor but not the title or the pay..

Even in my music, I am always searching for big, universal things - ways that you can sort of reach outside the norm of what you are doing..

I choose projects that resonate with me on some personal level and projects that I'm afraid to do. If I'm afraid to do them, then I usually say yes, ….

The things that scare you only make you better and stronger..

You know, bigotry isn't relevant to just the South. It never was. But I'm very grateful that I don't know what it's like from experience..

Unfortunately, there's a lack of roles for women of color, so you actually have to be the engineer creating some of those roles..

You cannot live to please everyone else. You have to edify, educate and fulfill your own dreams and destiny, and hope that whatever your art is that ….

I want to find things that challenge me..

I really believe things happen as they're supposed to and in the time that they're supposed to..

I'm glad that I get to take my final walk as the princess of 2012. ...there's nothing wrong with winning an Oscar!.

Any upward movement is movement for us all..

The way to bring about change is to be proactive and active..