I started a lecture series that was inspired by my reporting on race in America. The 'Black in America' series launched on CNN in 2007 as an opportunity to freshen the national conversation on race.
I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people.
Light is a metaphoric thing. There is green light and red light. Then there is black light, which is mostly danger.
One of my favorite stories was Black Orchid, because it was so different from all the others. I especially enjoyed dancing the Charleston. I have always been keen on dancing.
'I Got a Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas - Reminds me of happy, fun times with my friends and makes me want to jump around.
I loved the atmosphere of the dance studios - the wooden floors, the big mirrors, everyone dressed in pink or black tights, the musicians accompanying us - and the feeling of ritual the classes had.
I used to say in interviews that I don't necessarily want to be the first black woman or first model to do certain things; I just want to see it done.
Stanley Kubrick went with his gut feeling: he directed 'Dr. Strangelove' as a black comedy. The film is routinely described as a masterpiece.
Like I went out to a predominantly black club last night and nobody said anything and I was wishing somebody would so that someone would dance with me.
Did people think I sounded black? Totally, but that was a marketing tool as well, but also this is how I grew up and these are my influences.
I wanted to be like Vivien Leigh in 'Gone With the Wind.' I wanted to have black hair, green eyes and break hearts.
I don't think President Obama has been that revolutionary in reaching out to ethnic communities. President Reagan did a lot for the black community that people don't realize.
When I saw houses in Palmdale going for $500K, I knew something was wrong. If you got foreclosed, I don't feel sorry for you!
Something like 'Rust and Bone' would be a dream. Very pared down. 'Orphan Black' is such a challenge. I just need something that isn't as full-on intense as that.
When I lost you...my world darkened beyond any known shade of black, and the only light that I have seen since is you...
I was a very poor young black boy in New Orleans, just a face without a name, swimming in a sea of poverty trying to survive.
After Obama became president, I realized that black people could not have put him in the White House - it had to be a collective effort of everybody in the country.
In fairy tales the bad guy is very easy to spot. The bad guy is always wearing a black cape so you always know who he is.
When Kubrick decided to go the black comedy route with his movie, he thought of me to give it that flavor.
There is no question that liberals do an impressive job of expressing concern for blacks. But do the intentions expressed in their words match the actual consequences of their deeds?
Part of the challenge of being a black Republican anywhere is that you start off with people walking in with chips on their shoulder trying to figure out what is wrong with you.
