Neil deGrasse Tyson Quotes

You know, all kinds of people inspire me.

As I get older, I want to draw on my experience to make roles better. I see that in the older women who inspire me - their experience makes them better.

We always talk about how important representation is. It's so important to see someone that looks like you - whether you're African American, Asian, Indian or whatever your background is - doing incredible things. It's just motivation to go out there and do incredible things yourself.

I think I find new idols every day - someone that says something really inspiring, is successful, has character.

If it weren't for the mentorship and guidance from people like my mother, James Brown and others, I wouldn't have been able to make something of my life.

My role models have kept on changing.

I've learned a tremendous amount from Oprah.

There are a couple of teachers I have had without whose influence I would not be as happy with who I am.

Some of the best advice I've gotten was from William Hurt and Harry Connick Jr. I've really learned a lot from both of them.

I learned life from some good teachers.

I don't think there's any better education than learning the intimate details of the lives of people who you most admire.

As an African American actress, there are people who have been staples in my life that opened a door that I can walk through. I hope that I can have that impact.

I grew up watching Oprah on television. So, to say I didn't learn a lot from her just wouldn't be true.

Laverne Cox, Isis King, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, Ryan Murphy, Steven Canals, the people I've met growing up, and even me - all have inspired me to see that it is possible to get far anywhere and that the capacity for positive and motivating influence is truly unlimited.

When you speak to potential black and ethnic coaches who want to go into the game, one aspect that they always speak about are role models. They would like to see representation, more at a higher level. And any part I can play in that I am delighted to do.

I have role models, but I take the attributes of the people that I admire, and I use them to create my best self.

I always said that if I had the platform and the opportunity to share my story and make it easier for others, I would - so that, in a way, I can be the role model that I was looking for as a kid.

I look to many different women for inspiration but try to make things my own.

I never said to be like me, I say to be like you and make a difference.

Transformed people transform people.

I really just try to enjoy the game and hope that I can inspire young kids. I started playing tennis because of Monica Seles, and I try to promote the sport in the best possible way. Sometimes it's hard because you get upset on court, but I think in life one learns through experiences in order to evolve as a person.

If you don't have heroes in the beginning, you don't grow.

I feel very lucky to have grown up having interaction with adults who were making change but who were far from perfect beings. That feeling of not being paralyzed by your incredible inadequacy as a human being, which I feel every day, is a part of the legacy that I've gotten from so many of the adult elders.

I want to be inspiring to myself, to my kids, my family, and my friends.

I hope that I inspire women to believe in themselves, no matter where they come from; no matter what education they have; what particular background they originate from.