One of the most tragic things about slavery was the mental enslavement, the way they made us believe that we were worth nothing and that's what she's fighting against.

When I was younger, I really struggled with confidence. You go through those awkward, dorky, geeky stages, and growing up in the industry amplifies all that. Fortunately, I have a mother who encouraged me to build my confidence from within and embrace my imperfections.

Never let anyone silence your voice.

But really, for me, I tried to find first-person accounts. I tried to read stories from men and women who had survived slavery because it's different when you hear it from their mouths instead of reading it from a history book.

When I was younger, I really struggled with confidence.