Jesse Williams Quotes

Role models really matter. It's hard to imagine yourself as something you don't see.

As young people, you want to see people who in some way look like you to some degree, because it makes it a little easier for you to aspire to take on the qualities of those people.

I had a teacher in college who drastically changed the course of my life by telling me that he believed in me as an actor. I never received that support before, and it inspired to me to such a degree that I never looked back. He taught me that it's okay to be crappy; it's okay to fight; it's okay to go to any length.

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.

A good leader is one who can tell another how to reach his or her potential; a great leader is one who can help another discover this potential for him or herself.

Ask any successful person, and most will tell you that they had a person who believed in them... a teacher, a friend, a parent, a guardian, a sister, a grandmother. It only takes one person, and it doesn't really matter who it is.

You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Look out for kids, help them dream and be inspired. We teach calculus in schools, but I believe the most important formula is courage plus dreams equals success.

What nourishes us at home and in school is what inspires us. When we get awareness and learn about the great potential that we all human beings have, we are able to discover our leadership.

A great teacher who is full of excitement and love for her students can make all the difference in their lives.

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

I've had teachers that inspired me, yes. I think teachers play a really important role in people's lives. I had one teacher in particular who helped me through high school and really instilled a confidence in me by just holding me up to a standard I wasn't holding myself up to.

I had a science teacher in middle school who inspired me... simply because she acknowledged me and made me feel that what I had to offer was worthy.

It's a great thing, for someone to feel that they can draw inspiration from you.

I hope all you young girls see yourself up there... we were just like you.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Many of us have been touched by the magic of a great teacher. I know I have.

A hero that doesn't look like you makes you want to be something else.

I love speaking at schools. That's always my favorite because I wish I'd had someone who was like me come speak at my school.

I want to show other girls how happy I am and how confident I am, how I still want to go to school and I still want to rap.

Hopefully, I can be a good role model for kids, and they can grow up to follow their dreams just like I am.

I'm inspired to post a lot of positive messages on my social media because, growing up, I felt as though I needed somebody that looked like me in the limelight or in entertainment to promote being different and promote accepting your differences.

I want to inspire kids.

Growing up, I really didn't have a lot of role models.

We absolutely need more role models. I think we need more people to come forward and be proud of who they are.

When I was really little, I wanted to be a wrestler so I could be like the girls I looked up to. My brother then told me that 'You don't want to be like your idols; you want to grow up and be better than them.' To this day, that's the best piece of advice I've ever gotten.