I think that for the most part, black people specifically have sort of been used as props in TV shows as a way to move story along or as a way to make things more entertaining.

I was running around all the time, talking out of turn, a lot of energy, and obsessed with movies. There's nothing I loved more than going to the movies.

One of my favorites is 'Parks and Recreation.' Great show; awesome writing; beautiful, diverse cast. They also have a very diverse writer's room, which I love.

I never thought I would write about Chicago, and I definitely never thought I would write a drama.

Obviously, I love Steph Curry. I think he's dope and a really cool player to watch.

The reason I get so excited about 'Master of None' is because it's showing people of color as regular people.

My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there, I feel very close to it, and I visit very often.

Being on Netflix lets us be experimental. We can do crazy things.

Maybe some young girl seeing me on the Emmy stage may have meant something for them.

I'm queen of mentorship.

It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.

I'm a big sneaker head.

It's interesting how things you hear as a kid take on a whole new meaning when you are an adult.

I remember going to 'The Wood' and leaving my friend and my mom, who I came with, to go sit in the front row because I was so excited.

I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.

I think once 'Empire' hit, there was a lot of bad black TV that followed, because we work in the business of hit-seekers and copycats, so they're like, 'Oh this is a show about black people; this is about music, OK let's do a version of that.' And, of course, it doesn't work because it's not organic.

I never had everything I wanted, but I never wanted for anything.

I'm a big believer in writing really good dialogue.

I think, to me, I always want to tell the truth. I never want to sugarcoat things. I've never been accused of pulling punches.

It was a symbolic moment when 'Moonlight' literally took the Oscar out of 'La La Land's' hand.

I loved 'The Wizard Of Oz.' It was, like, you know how some kids, they're crying, and they put on - people put on 'Frozen' to get them to chill and just be quiet? For my family, it was 'The Wizard Of Oz.' They would literally tell babysitters, if she gets - like, if she starts misbehaving or she starts acting crazy, just put 'The Wizard Of Oz' on.

There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way to go, 'Oh, Chicago's perfect.' I don't believe that. I don't think that. I know we have our issues.

People always go, 'Damn, how you got all this happening at once?' I tell them it's the Chicago in me.

Queer black characters have been the sidekick for long enough. It's time for us to finally take the lead.