When the scary subject of race is finally broached, kids want to talk and talk. It's very satisfying.

I felt like there was something I needed to do - speaking to kids and sharing my story with them and helping them understand racism has no place in the minds and hearts of children.

Schools should be diverse if we are to get past racial differences.

I've seen schools in Detroit where the windows are broken, where there's no heat, and children are sitting with their coats on in class in the middle of a snowstorm. I've also seen schools in California with Olympic-sized swimming pools and cafeterias like five-star restaurants.

Throughout my life, my prayers have actively sustained me - held me up, carried me through.

My message is really that racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children.