We asked folks to tell us about their favorite quote or affirmation and to tell us what it means to them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Maria Baz | Founder & Executive Director

What’s meant to be will be. Starting a business isn’t always easy. After being turned away told no, running over budget or a number of other obstacles you face as an owner you will at one time or another question yourself wondering if you were really suppose to branch out on your own and start a business. But after taking a breath or walking away for a moment and reevaluating why you started, you remember you were build for this. Read more>>

Nadia Bryant | Natural Hairstylist & Business Owner

Romans 8:18 KJV reads “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”. Not only is this my favorite verse from the Bible, but it is a powerful affirmation that I remind myself of daily. I have this verse hanging up on a wall in my apartment, so if you have ever come to me to get your hair styled then you have definitely seen it. It is very empowering and soul strengthening to visually see God’s reminder that what I am currently going through, or what my family or friend may be going through, is minuscule compared to the glory He has prepared for us later. Read more>>

Janice Liddell, PhD | Perpetual teacher and learner

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough! (Ellen Sirleaf) I selected this as my guiding quote for 2022. It is an very aspirational quote that encourages me to dream big. This is a particularly important aspiration for someone generally in my age group. I am a senior, an elder–73 years young. While so many of my agemates believe they are in their declining years, I say it’s all about perspective. Read more>>

Josh Burrell | Multimedia Artist and Journalist

I live my life by two quotes actually. Both affirm me as a storyteller. The one, “Until history is told from the perspective of the lion, then the hunter will always be glorified.” I don’t know who wrote the quote, but it reminds me to take agency in my storyteller and to be an advocate for other Black and queer folk to share their stories as well. The other is by Lorrain Hansberry, “The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.” This quote grounds me and makes me feel seen because I’ve always felt like an outsider. Read more>>