You never know what motivates you.

Her desire for fame is like her hair. It keeps getting bigger. [on Diana Ross

Walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play, or it might be the sound of your hello.

I really, really enjoy music and that's why I do what I do.

I'm just one of the lucky people. I have no other reason for my longevity.

And fortunately, I haven't had any problem with my voice. I've been able to sing at a level of consistency that the people are expecting.

Ali... we should have gone to see that movie. Malcolm X was another one

Children should have a balanced start in life: a mother and a father. I think that's the only reason to get married.

We have to support our own films. If we don't, how can we expect others to support them?

I will lead my people out of bondage, Lord.

All I have to do is find someone who has something to say that will enrich my life and they can't get rid of me.

I saw that I could not afford the luxury of just being an actress. So I made a choice to use my career as a platform to address the issues of the race I was born into.

Whatever good I have accomplished as an actress I believe came in direct proportion to my efforts to portray black women who have made positive contributions to my heritage.

If each person in this world will simply take a small piece of this huge thing, this amazing quilt, and work it regardless of the color of the yarn, we will have harmony on this planet.

I am not a quitter. I will fight until I drop. It is just a matter of having some faith in the fact that as long as you are able to draw breath in the universe, you have a chance.

Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch - what make you go beyond the norm.

The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat.

If the Negroes are to remain forever removed from the producing atmosphere, and the present discrimination continues, there will be nothing left for them to do.

The author takes the position that the consumer pays the tax, and as such every individual of the social order should be given unlimited opportunity to make the most of himself.