The history of black people in America, it's so painful. But throughout all that history there has still been the ability of our community to find love and laughter and joy even in these very painful circumstances. That's why I think in particular black love is so powerful, because it's constantly under attack.

We all live in different worlds and situations, so what's the issue with representing that on screen?

When you're a Black actress, the box that we often get put in is so small. And me being a dark-skinned Black actress, the opportunities become so limited in a way that is just wrong. It's not fair. I'm so capable of playing a wide variety of roles. It comes down to whether or not I'm given the opportunity to do it.

For whatever reason, Hollywood has had a very limited view of what life is and what certain people in certain roles, what they look like.

I'm committed to jumping into roles, worlds, and stories that historically actors who look like me have been left out of.

We're seeing more black women saying: 'This is who I am; this is what I've been given.' And it's beautiful.

I want a career filled with a lot of variety.

All of us can relate to when something happens in your life and it just completely changes it. Now you have to figure out how you're going to move forward.

I will never forget my first Valentino Haute Couture show.

I think a lot of times for women, especially in this industry, we're forced to do things for beauty that aren't good for what we already have.

Instead of asking for permission, we're seeing more artists and creatives taking control over the stories we tell.

Making films is such a large, collaborative effort and there's so many people who are a part of it.

There was never a moment when I thought I'd be a dentist, I've always wanted to perform.

It's important for me to not just do the same type of roles and movies that I've seen actresses that look like me do.

I'm hopeful that, at the end of my career, wherever it takes me, there's a lot of variety.

I'm a huge fan of 'The Avengers,' but 'Black Panther' was so special to me.

I love big jewelry trends and moments, especially some gold hoops.

I always say, food is the way to get KiKi Layne wherever you want her to go. As long as I'm not cooking.

The Kate Spade woman is a classy sort of working woman who's still stylish.

I know for me personally, I'm a person that tends to pull back from the people that love me when I'm going through something.

I'm very thankful I went to college, because I've seen the difference that it makes for me in the professional world. After graduation, I was building a name for myself in the Chicago theater scene, but there was always this pull to L.A.

I'm very grateful to Barry Jenkins, who took a chance on me.

The only thing I'm sure of is that I want to keep doing work that speaks to me.

I'm just hoping that, as more black artists take control of the narratives that are out there, more opportunities will come around for artists of colour. We want to make the same waves that the white artists do.