"I'm not a victim of racism. I'm a survivor of racism. And I'm going to continue to fight against it."

"I'm not a writer who happens to teach. I'm a teacher who happens to write. I teach until my throat hurts, and then I write."

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels."

"I believe that laughter is the most important thing a person can have. And I believe that laughter can lighten your load."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. Unless it's a really good pain, like from laughing too hard."