Born ham, that's basically me.

I can do anything. I can be anything. No one ever told me I couldn’t. No one ever expressed this idea that I was limited to any one thing, and so I think in terms of what’s possible, not impossible.

Most of all, I dislike this idea nowadays that if you’re a black person in America, then you must be called African-American. Listen, I’ve visited Africa, and I’ve got news for everyone: I’m not an African.

I’m a big old egotistical baby and that’s okay. I can accept it.

Who amongst us doesn’t want to be a hero?

Things happen to you out of luck, and if you get to stick around it’s because you’re talented.

There are times when I haven’t been proud of America or really proud. But there have been times that I’ve been incredibly proud of the country.

If there wasn’t something called acting, they would probably hospitalize people like me.

I’m fighting the label of ‘Black’ actress simply because it’s very limiting in people’s eyes, especially people who are making movies.

You don’t want to think something might be racist, but it might be, because your gut is telling you it is.