Category: Overcoming Adversity

Andrew Garfield

Posted on June 11, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

ANDREW GARFIELD

“This means a great deal. Thank you so much. At a moment in time when maybe the most important thing we remember right now is the sanctity of the human spirit, it is the profound privilege of my life to play Prior Walter in Angels in America because he represents the purest spirit of humanity and especially that of the LGBTQ community. It is that spirit that says no to oppression, it is a spirit that says no to bigotry, no to shame, no to exclusion. It is a spirit that says we were all made perfectly, and we all belong. So I dedicate this award to the countless LGBTQ who have fought and died to protect that spirit. To protect that message for the right to live and love as we are created to… we are all sacred. Let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked!” Garfield’s acceptance speech for winning Best Actor Tony Award, 2018

Jimmy Fallon

Posted on June 11, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

JIMMY FALLON

“When something feels hard, remember that it gets better. Choose to move forward, don’t let anything stop you.” People Magazine, 2018

Salma Hayek

Posted on May 31, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

SALMA HAYEK

“You are alone in reality. You are alone in life and, it’s a beautiful place to be IF you make peace with yourself. If you have a good relationship with yourself, there’s so much to find. We have so many possibilities. We don’t actually spend enough time with ourselves and, many times, we fall into the trap to do things so that other people have a perception of who we are. But, the… mystery of life to me is, the relationship with ‘you and you. Conviction is the place where, even if you made a mistake, mistakes are sometimes the greatest gifts that you can have.” Oprah Interview, 2018

Zendaya

Posted on March 25, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

ZENDAYA

“Continue to know that your voice is a real thing, and it’s a powerful thing, and it’s a beautiful thing.” Kids Choice Awards

Mary J Blige

Posted on March 12, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

MARY J. BLIGE

“Any little girl out there who is growing up in the projects or in a tough area, you think that your dreams will never come true. Just keep doing what you do. Be true to yourself. Believe YOU even when you don’t believe. Just keep going. Keep moving. If I can do it, you can do it too..” Oscar Red Carpet 2018

Nelson Mandela

Posted on January 15, 2018October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

NELSON MANDELA

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.” Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Camila Cabello

Posted on December 14, 2017October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

CAMILA CABELLO

“If you think about it, all of us minorities combined, we are the majority. We’re not the minority. And if we start looking at things that way, the things are going to start changing. It’s not about exclusion; it’s about explaining what’s been going on in history for years, and how we’ve been failing each other by not being open with these conversations and demanding representation.” Teen Vogue Magazine

Destiny Frasqueri aka Princess Nokia

Posted on December 14, 2017October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

DESTINY FRASQUERI aka PRINCESS NOKIA

“Music has empowered me through poverty, abuse, and mental-health issues. Music gives me a focused purpose. It saves my life everyday.” Teen Vogue Magazine

Anna Lynne McCord

Posted on December 14, 2017October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

ANNA LYNNE McCORD

McCord talks about being sexually assaulted, and what it took for her to come to terms with what happened to her, and breaking the silence.

“I have a message for women and young girls: Don’t put yourself in a box. Don’t let the polite lies of society silence you. Honestly, I would endure everything all over again–it has led me to my own revolution.” Cosmo Magazine

Susan Boyle

Posted on December 14, 2017October 19, 2023 by Al Baker

SUSAN BOYLE

“Everybody was laughing because of my drab appearance, but when they dug deeper, they realized that this woman had a hidden talent- and that talent came through in a surprising way. You shouldn’t ever be held back by what people think of you.” Parade Magazine