00:02This world has a way of putting women in this narrow box.
00:06Auditioning in Hollywood when I was younger, it was very hard for me to get roles because
00:10they put us in a box. I'm tired of being in a box.
00:14We have to be something that makes everybody feel comfortable.
00:16True story, I wanted to go into performing arts high school.
00:19And my guidance counselor said, you can go to that school.
00:23People like you don't get in there.
00:24But I pursued it anyway and I got into the school.
00:27I did it just because I felt like if no one is doing it, I'm going to be the first
00:32one to do it.
00:33In the last 10 years is what I've seen more representations that feel like folks in my real life
00:39behaving in a way that feels familiar to me.
00:41And that is a new world and that is a world that we all can share in.
00:45I can portray as many roles as anyone can.
00:48You know, I don't need to have light eyes and look exotic to be able to portray it or be
00:53a size zero.
00:54I truly believe that my talent is capable of telling any story that is told.
01:00What I would say to young black women would be to respect yourself regardless of how the world is seeing
01:06you.
01:06By exceedingly loving yourself, you're showing people how they should treat you.
01:12All right.
01:12Well, see you now.
01:13I'm sorry.
01:14You're right.
01:14You have to say that.
01:14You're going to be here.
01:14I'm sorry.
