91 Quotes by Jurnee Smollett-Bell

My mom is from New Orleans. And all of my maternal relatives were there during Katrina. We couldn't even find my uncle for four months. We literally didn't know where he was. I had been there just four days before the storm hit.

The AIDS epidemic began before I was born - I've never known a world without it. And yet, despite its omnipresence in our lives, there remains a pervasive silence around AIDS among young people, particularly young women.

Until we really heal the wounds that we dealt with during slavery, I don't think we'll be a fully realized country.

After being a mom, we are now in a different chapter in our womanhood, and instead of trying to be our old selves or get our old body back, we should embrace who we are now.

I have respect for therapists in general, because they hear so many stories. It's a lot to hold and take in.

There are so many people who will try and make you feel like your opinion doesn't matter, and I've learned how important it is to use your voice.

We all try to pretend we're the person we want to be when we're really not, and you've just gotta be willing to say, 'Here are all my flaws; here's who I am - take it or leave it. If you love me still, then let's do this.'

My little brothers loved baseball. I'm not as big on that as basketball or football, but I understand the game.

I like the idea of matchmaking; I'm just not very good at it. It's too much pressure!