I came out of my mother’s womb fighting—fighting to rid the spider webs from across my face. They say that when you are born with webs over your face you possess special powers. My great grandmother, Yaa said that my mother slept for nearly a month because she was so tired from birthing me. She said—this child must have the spirit of ten men. My papa says I am a child with Akan fighting blood in me. (Excerpt from my latest work, "Blue Mountain Queen." For Release 2012)

"If the Negro is inferior why circumvent him; why suppress his talent and initiative; why rob him of his independent gift; why fool him out of his rights of his country; why imprison his intelligence; why keep him down with the law of equality?" ---The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey