Black Pearls Living

People have to have permission to write, ani they have to be given the space to breathe and stumble. They have to be given time to develop and to reveal what they can do.

—Toni Cade Bambara

I have found thoughts and words to be the foundation for success and failure in life. I’m teaching my kids when to whisper and when to shout.

—Diana Ross

In some sense, the black professional’s problem is that each of us who succeeds in the white world feels we’ve succeeded at the expense of our brothers.

—Kenneth Mcclane

Your father didn’t sacrifice to send you to that school so you could join a social club. If those white boys start interfering with your education, then you can get back to me.

—“Aunt” Bennie

The masses must move, but it must be the classes that move them.

—William Saunders Scarborough

I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and it was show business to its fullest potential.

—Eddie Murphy

There does not have to be powerlessness. The power is within ourselves.

—Faye Wattleton

A wise parent knows when to look for help.

—Overheard on a New York City bus

I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.

—Rosa Parks

We can all get very busy in life and forget to do the basic “niceties” that we were taught. We forget basic manners like calling, writing, touching, coming to visit Mom and Dad.

—Pearl Bailey