Nafessa Williams Quotes

Nafessa Williams

Profession : Actress

Birth : December 4, 1989

I get my swag from Philly. I get my hustle from Philly. I get my work ethic from Philly.

Nafessa Williams

I grew up in the inner city. It wasn't a joke.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

My workouts always start with doing some cardio.

Nafessa Williams

I prefer running on the track because, for me, the treadmill can get a little boring.

Nafessa Williams

I switch up between going to the gym or exercising outside to run around a track and the stairs of a stadium.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

I think that's when life began for me: when I started to follow my dreams.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

I think I have proven that I can play any type of character.

Nafessa Williams

Debbie Allen and Regina King inspire me.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams

I believe that young lesbian women need to see themselves on TV. They need to see the representation, especially young black lesbians.

Nafessa Williams

Beyonce's 'Freedom' - I listen to that when I am suiting up and getting into superhero mode.

Nafessa Williams

I want everyone to be aware of what their superpower is because I believe that we all have superpowers.

Nafessa Williams

I want lesbians to be inspired and to feel comfortable with who they are and walk boldly in that.

Nafessa Williams

I hope that people understand that with education, we can be our own superhero.

Nafessa Williams

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.

Nafessa Williams