You should always know when you're shifting gears in life. You should leave your era; it should never leave you.

"If you are going to think black, think positive about it. Don't think down on it, or think it is something in your way. And this way, when you really do want to stretch out, and express how beautiful black is, everybody will hear you . . ."

Accomplishments have no color.

Art is the only thing you cannot punch a button for. You must do it the old-fashioned way. Stay up and really burn the midnight oil. There are no compromises.

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.