"Unfortunately, hierarchies of human value also create hierarchies of knowledge. The people most likely to be marginalised by unjust social systems – and thus best placed to really understand them – are also those least likely to be considered credible “experts” on the subject. This is particularly true because the knowledge gleaned from marginalisation is invariably threatening to the system that produces it."

"Freedom is the many faced god and queerness is its first born."

"Transgender and gender non-conforming people know things about gender that most cisgender folks are light years away from realising. To survive unequal realities, marginalised folks often cultivate deep knowledge of how these realities actually function."

"Our mothers and grandmothers exerted influence and control over our fathers and grandfathers. But they knew how to do so gently and respectfully. That way, they had their way while the man remained in charge, unchallenged. And everybody was happy. This is what I will tell the women in the boardroom today. Women being in positions of authority is good, because they will bring a different aspect and approach to the way things are being done. Women are not stupid and they have a lot to offer the society too. We don’t look at things the way men look at things. As mothers and wives, we are most likely to give a deeper consideration to things before taking actions."

"Turning an empty page into stories, making something out of nothing."

"Fortunately women who have gone before me have made that something I no longer fear."

"The first thing I figure out is the plot, and as it develops, the characters take shape. I believe the characters tell me their own stories."

"Playing with words, making up new ones, gifting your audience with a well written story is nothing short of magic."

"A woman who will break barriers will break barriers, whether she has many other responsibilities on her shoulders or not."

"I want to say that Africa’s history and brilliance is there, and I want to say that Black people can be magical and fantastical creatures, as well as anything else."

"For many, agriculture can represent deep pain because of the history of slavery, but also because of current land loss, forced migration and oppressive farm labor practices. But I remember thinking, “Could this be enough to keep us from picking up the plow again?” I think, for some people, possibly it is. But I’d like to think we recognize that our legacy with the land is so much more than that"

"As there were more books coming on the scene, there tended to be less about Black people as magical beings or creatures in fantasy, and I definitely wanted to see more of that"

"There is nothing wrong with being a presenter or an actor, but if you are interested in other tech aspects of the job, you need to embrace that thing you are afraid of."

"I’d like to see African America lifting up our black farmers, chefs and community food leaders. Our priorities need to be putting our dollars directly into our communities so that black farmer and that black-owned restaurant can keep their doors open, allowing them to keep feeding our communities and keep food culture alive. We need to get better at telling our stories to make that connection with our community."

"Enslaved Africans refused to be stripped of their spirituality, their stories, and in essence, their humanity, and so they took them with them. You can see these connections across the diaspora, from similar tales, a Yoruba speaking community in Colombia, to the deities worshipped in the Caribbean and beyond. Even when it came to religion, Africans showed ingenuity and tenacity in holding onto what mattered to them."

"I think it’s very important to show Black characters as main characters and to chart their journeys of vulnerability and strength. That was another major highlight of writing this novel."

"As a girl child, you truly believe yourself to be weaker than your male relatives, friends, class mates."

"We’re all different and I think it’s important to do what’s best for you."

"IN SOCIAL JUSTICE, ACTIVISTS WHO RAGE IN THEIR SMALL TWITTER AND FACEBOOK CORNERS, WHO HOLD UP PLACARDS IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE OR A NEED ARE REBELS."

"I WOULD CHANGE HOW THE WORLD PERCEIVES WOMEN”"

"Mo gbà yín. Ní àpéjọ, àpéjọ yóò rí ìbùkún àpéjẹ̀ẹ Ìyá Yemoja tí yóo ṣe àpéjọ̀rùn ìrìn àjò àpéjẹ. Kí Olodumare mú ọ dé ilé ní àìléwu àti àláfíà,’ I say, and then repeat the prayer that will glean the woman’s soul. ‘I welcome you. Gathered, you will be blessed by Mother Yemoja, who will ease your journey. May Olodumare take you home to safety and peace. Come forth.’”"

"It's so unfair to see the way some countries discuss sanctioning international students through crazy immigration policies like they go to these schools for free. If you don't want them in your country, just stop giving student visas rather than constant humiliation."

"You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of self-respect to self-interests."

"One that captures the true essence of the reality of life from diverse perspectives; merged into one piece to paint a beautiful picture."

"“‘It’s just…’ But the words won’t come and instead I find myself saying nothing, trying to keep my lips from trembling. The sapphire is cool in my grip as I look down at it, remembering the woman. Folasade floats nearer as my hair waves in front of us. ‘May I?’ she asks. Nodding, I let Folasade sweep my curls away so that we can see each other’s faces clearly. Her eyes are almost black in the water, but they shine with a reverence I know is missing from mine.”"

"If you get all your schoolwork for the day done in, say, three hours, you can spend the rest of the time reading or making up stories or whatever else."

"Having morals in this economy is tough but to God be my glory."

"Poetry is a literary art that deploys the aesthetic qualities and brevity of language to stir meanings that are literal and implied or imaginative through deliberate form and structure."

"Remember that if you do not take care of their welfare/education, they will grow up to become the hooligans that will torment you forever."

"We are in fact all perfectly different, and what makes us different needs to be fully celebrated within society."

"Life has taught me to give without expecting anything in return."

"I think my early challenges prepared me for what I do now. I can empathize because I have been there. I can relate because I know that pain."

"She needed balance. Her own moon that would rise and fall with her, keeping her equilibrium, loving her unconditionally."

"Though there are situations that can make you not shine and that’s when you have a lot of dust on you and it has to be polished so what do you do? You polish yourself."

". I don’t believe that women actually have to fight for anything, they have it. A diamond doesn’t struggle to shine, it just sparkles."

"Nobody gives it to you, give it to yourself. Watch movies, read books… formerly or informally educate yourself."

"Don’t let anybody intimidate you. Just ask yourself “what is it about me that I want to share with the world? What is my mission on earth?"

"There is always that fear of being dominated by others who will not yield their ground even if you yield yours."

"It’s an enormous challenge because even if you want to step away from tribalism, you cannot always trust that others will reciprocate."

"I often say there is a huge difference between loving a Black woman versus taking directions from her as your boss or CEO."

"I want equality and justice for everyone."

"Brittany was the most challenging character for me because, as the author, we don’t share the same values, but she is completely valid."

"The trauma she had endured often manifested itself as quiet tears once she was locked in her room, staring at her graveyard of photos."

"Many personal experiences were sprinkled throughout the book."

"Anything can come up at any time, and you are constantly revving up your defenses."

"A lot of the feelings of isolation, lack of belonging, and exclusion Muna feels are real and raw for me."

"Being different doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or that you aren’t perfect as you are. It simply means getting special support so you can live your best life."

"Motherhood is not about you and your desires, it’s about the children that God has gifted to you. Children are not jewelry around your neck, neither are they meant for you to fulfill all your unfulfilled ambitions in your children."

"The quality of a mother determines the quality of society. We need to take motherhood and mothers really more seriously. It is not something that should just be left to chance."

"A true-bred Nigerian will always have a million and one things going on at the same time."