As an African-American parent, we have to really, really worry about our children and how our children are perceived in America.

America will never move forward if you decide to leave a nation of people behind.

I would definitely like to see the education process more enhanced in African-American communities, because we need to be educated on laws that are relevant to our communities and our people, as well as to any other ethnic groups. A broader view of how people perceive African-American boys and girls in this country is what I'd like to see.

Sometimes you just have to be by yourself, you need a little space and time.

I hope to see a more diversified country, where people can view everyone as equal individuals, where people can start seeing our young black and brown boys and girls and valuing their lives as we would value other lives.

It is a right to have a firearm to protect yourself. But it is not your right to be irresponsible. At the end of the day, it is not the gun that kills you, it is the irresponsible person that does.

There is only one way to come out of that dark place, and that is through the power of prayer.