"It’s been a hectic year and a half, but I’ve learned an incredible amount about myself, become more mature, and gained a patience I perhaps didn’t have before."

"Being Black and Iranian is something that even subconsciously plays into what I bring to a role"

"“It’s not about appearances or needing to seem like I’m good at everything"

"First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to the coach for the chance he has provided us, the younger players. We have gained a lot from the senior team members, and we continue to learn and develop."

"Education has always been an integral part of my life"

"On a set, you’re a character. Everything about you is altered. In the tent, the goal is to be yourself."

"We have mentally equipped ourselves for this game after undertaking the essential training, and we are set to perform on Friday."

"We want to do the best we can to win it."

"As a team, we are determined to give our best to win the match."

"I'm not just the only player in the team, so I have to team up with other members of the squad to push the country very far in the competition."

"We will make sure we raise high the image of Ghana."

"My parents instilled this idea that learning is a lifelong adventure, whether that's in a classroom or out in the world"

"We need every voice. We need every person"

"Finding what fulfills us is the ultimate success"

"I don't have specifications, just have money. I don't want those old men who are rich; I want young rich guys. I want the money the young guys have. The boys have money. They ride the big cars in town like Benz and the others."

"I am very happy, it is not just about my performance but the total contribution from the entire team. They fought for the badge and made Ghana proud. I am really excited."

"That’s why I also associate it with family and togetherness, and that’s what I need right now."

"I’m really grateful to win this award two times in a row and to be the top scorer. This only makes me want to do more."

"I thank god for this opportunity to play in the CAF Women’s Champions League. It was a dream that came true and now I just want to achieve more."

"The future is bright."

"We can’t wait for people to take us seriously — we have to make them see the value."

"It’s up to us as players to raise the standard."

"We respect our opponents, but we also know what we bring to the table."

"There's no pressure on me at all. Football is just a normal game, with movement and passing."

"The story of immigration is something that is undoubtedly tied to mine"

"I realized that when my norms did not fit those of the world around me, it was time to change the world norms"

"It’s about staying disciplined and playing with heart. We owe it to our fans, our country, and ourselves to fight for every point."

"I describe my future as being policy-adjacent"

"Originality and authenticity are synonymous to me in that, on a spiritual, more emotional level, it’s about staying grounded in who you are"

"I'm never going to find myself in positions in which I genuinely regret what I'm doing."

"We want this spectrum of ourselves portrayed in every physical possible spiritual, mental, emotional way that is so much more than saying I am a brown woman, or I am a black woman on TV, but saying, I am a fraction of my community"

"At the age of 14, I had a mic in my hand and they were asking me about representation and about topics that I think not many 14-year-olds have a chance to discuss"

"It's OK to have multiple passions and to pursue them in various capacities"

"My education allowed me to speak more confidently about the things that I advocate for in my work"

"Fashion innovation is hard, but when people come in with their own aesthetic, it’s really inspiring"

"The moments when I stop worrying about how I’m being perceived are really freeing."

"But what I love so much about the collision between time and space that has happened right now is the fact that I am in no way the face of anything, because when I look at so many of my peers, there are people doing the same work, more work, different work than I am"

"For me, optimism is a belief in self"

"Young people rise to the occasion time and time again, especially when we’re faced with things that are of deep concern to us"

"So many times in the conversation, [colorism is used] as a straight up denial of blackness"

"It’s overwhelming to think about how broken some of these systems are, how imperfect some of our tools for change are"

"Leaving my teens is very intimidating to me."

"The question of why should the audience care is something that we’re always having to answer"

"The support may not be there at the level we want, but when we show quality, passion, and competitiveness on the field, more people will take notice."

"I feel like I’m only here because of the people who have come before me"