Everybody's problem is not yours, regardless of marriage and relationships, and I think women sometimes have to shed what we think it should be and address what it is.

When you're single, you're very independent. Very independent women raised me. We didn't have a lot of male figures as the head of our household, so I got, and took on, a lot of that strong spirit from the matriarchs in my family.

I didn't plan on being a single mom, but you have to deal with the cards you are dealt the best way you can.

An innocent little human being was solely dependent on me! I took all the CPR and breastfeeding classes and learned quite a bit.

There are some universal elements when it comes to motherhood - especially for Black moms. Black women are selfless. Many women think of their children before they think about themselves.

A long time ago, when I was married, in the beginning it was bliss. I eloped after one month, and I married for security. I thought, 'I finally met a man who loves God and comes from a great family. I'm working, I love God, and I'm out here in California by myself, and I've met this great man.' So, I said yes. And we eloped.

Once you're a mother, you're always a mom. So it doesn't matter if your child comes out green, purple, bisexual or whatever. That's who they are and you love them regardless. You guide them as best as you can. We must always proceed with love first and foremost.

I call myself taking control of a situation, but sometimes you really have to learn to humble yourself and to submit yourself. I'm not really good with submission, so that's the part of marriage and relationships that I've found very hard to deal with.

I think every person deserves two marriages, because you may not get the first one right. You really never knew. That's why divorce is so big. We all want it to last, but that's not always the reality of it.

I like seeing things that you don't normally see. Black people are so diverse, we do so many things, we have given so much to this world - and we are constantly giving.

I think you have to include your legacy in everything that you do because it makes you proceed with a little more mindfulness when it comes to decision-making, and the lives that you will affect by your choices.

Im a realist, not a sugar coater. I believe in always letting people know what their obstacles are. And at the end of the day, I just want to be respected for my hard work.

Actors, producers and directors have a responsibility. My personal pledge, since I became a mother 12 years ago, is that I won't be in any project my daughter can't watch. I'm trying to prepare her for the world.