"Jazz is democratic because everyone has a chance to add their own voice to the music. I want to keep passing that on. It's the only original art form created in this country and now it’s celebrated in so many countries around the world. If it’s not passed down it may disappear."
"I strive to leave something better than I found it. And if I can do that in any small way, here in Birmingham, that’ll be an accomplishment."
"Looking back, it’s easier to see the moments that were crystallizing for me.... One friend asked me what I was going to do, and I said, 'I don’t know, but I know I want to make a difference.'"
"I think about Vulcan’s pose a lot and how it aligns with how I feel about my role. He’s looking up and towards the future... He’s a symbol of what can be accomplished through hard work and a link from our past to our future."
"In my family, there were a lot of artists, artisans, and art lovers. So, it’s always been a part of who I am... I knew I wanted to be a part of connecting art and community."