I think it's very important to find something that you do that helps center you.
— Nafessa Williams
Wonder Woman is one of my favorite superheroes.
I did not know much about 'Black Lightning' beforehand, but I always wanted to play a superhero. After getting the part, I went back and read the comic books.
It's very necessary, showing the positive aspect of a black father. We see a lot of black women being the head of the household and holding the house down, but I think we need to have those images because there are black fathers out there who are doing the same thing and who are the glue to the family. That's who Black Lightning is.
Who would've thought that this little girl in the ghetto in Philly would be playing the first black lesbian superhero on network TV?
I just want people to understand that regardless of what it is that you do - whether you're a teacher, whether you are a doctor, a single mother, a college student, a big sister - that you have strength within you, and I want people to be inspired to walk in their own superhero regardless of what it is that they do.
I want everyone to be aware of what their superpower is because I believe that we all have superpowers.
Most superheroes are young or in their 20s, and as you can see with Black Lightning, he's in his mid-40s and he has a family, so that affects you a bit differently as opposed to being a young, single superhero.
I am African-American, and I am a proud African-American. I just don't like to put myself in a box and say, 'I'm an African-American actress.' I am an American actress, and I can do any kind of role.
I graduated with all honors, and I was about to take the LSATs, and I was working at a law firm, and I hated it.
I switch up between going to the gym or exercising outside to run around a track and the stairs of a stadium.
Representation is necessary, and we all want to turn on the TV and see characters who look like us and represent us in some way.
I get my swag from Philly. I get my hustle from Philly. I get my work ethic from Philly.
I didn't have a brown-skinned superhero growing up who wore cornrows and who reflected the inner city where I come from in Philadelphia.
I am so proud to be a Philadelphian. I believe there's a different drive and hustle that's instilled in us.
Will Smith has always been an inspiration for me.
Believe it or not, I am a tomboy.
I love really sweet, soft scents.
In most superhero shows, the superhero is pretty young. He's in his 20s; he's single. 'Black Lightning' is a man who's middle-aged, going through a divorce, and has two daughters.
I cannot get away from 'Streets,' like, no matter what I do! That was my very first professional job.
I believe what makes Black Lightning different from other superhero shows and other superheroes is that he's really, really family-oriented. You get to see his entire family as well as his daughters being superheroes and diving into that universe.
When you follow your dreams, you encourage other people to follow theirs.
I hope that people understand that with education, we can be our own superhero.
Beyonce's 'Freedom' - I listen to that when I am suiting up and getting into superhero mode.
Debbie Allen and Regina King inspire me.
I tried to take advantage of what I could in Philly. But when it was time to move on, I moved on to New York. There, I booked a series regular role on 'One Life To Live.' I played a character named Deanna Forbes. She was my first big job. It was on daytime TV. And it was a great opportunity until that show got canceled.
I think that's when life began for me: when I started to follow my dreams.
I prefer running on the track because, for me, the treadmill can get a little boring.
If I wasn't from Philly, I couldn't promise you that I would have the same drive and the same ambition because, as a little kid, I always saw myself as making it out, and I would escape with television.
I think it can be difficult for young lesbian or young gay, bisexual, transgender to come out and be open with who they are because there's such a huge stigma attached to that preference of their sexuality.
This is the most rewarding experience ever, taking on the role of Thunder as an actress. I'm just grateful and honored to give my voice to Thunder because she's so bold.
Successful artists don't follow trends; they create them.
It's cool to stay active and keep my body going.
We all have that superhero inside us, but it's about tapping into it and embracing it and owning it.
I love, love, love Lauryn Hill's 'MTV Unplugged.' It just helps relax me. I love just where she was in her space with that album and the truth that she was telling.
Most superhero shows are set in an alternative universe. 'Black Lightning' is literally in the hood. He's going inside of the ghetto and trying to make a difference.
All my life, I call myself wanting to be a lawyer because of Clair Huxtable. But the real dream was to be an actress.
Ultimately, my goal is to inspire little brown girls that look like me, that are sitting on the porch wearing cornrows.
It's nice to be a part of a show I was passionate about and that's pushing the culture forward. I feel 'Black Lightning' is doing that for sure.
I want lesbians to be inspired and to feel comfortable with who they are and walk boldly in that.
I believe that young lesbian women need to see themselves on TV. They need to see the representation, especially young black lesbians.
I think I have proven that I can play any type of character.
Sometimes you don't know what is it you want to do until you try it.
To come and turn the TV on and see Black Lightning trying to make a change and being a leader and stepping up, I hope that it inspires people within their own communities to try to make a change and to walk in their own superhero.
My workouts always start with doing some cardio.
I grew up in the inner city. It wasn't a joke.
I followed my dreams and went to Hollywood. My mom was like, 'Wait a minute - I thought you were going to be a lawyer.' I said, 'You know what, Mom? You're going to have to see me play one on TV.'
Disappointment builds character and strength.
I believe gratitude leads to happiness.
I'm always wanting and willing to be a voice for my people, a voice for the injustice.
