Alicia Keys

I feel as a culture we are ready to look at the truth and address it head on. I think it’s the power of how connected we all are with the digital revolution – there’s no where you can go without seeing the truth. Although it’s upsetting because we can’t believe at this day and age at this time it’s still that blatantly injustice in the world. I think it’s very empowering to do something about it and that’s the reason why I create the We Are Here movement out of my frustration about the apathy in society.

I feel the presence of a higher power. I believe that what you give is what you get. It’s universal law. I believe in the power of prayer and of words. I’ve learned that when you predict that negative things will happen, they do.

In the 80s, when I was a little girl, this whole Midtown area was a different world. These are the streets that I walked, and learned my lessons on, and heard the music, and witnessed disenfranchised people, and people who just had dreams and hopes. Every pimp, every prostitute, every drug dealer, every Broadway dreamer wishing they could be a writer, or a musician, or an actor.

I love learning about different religions, and discovering the different ways to worship, and to love the greatness and the higher being that surrounds us all. I definitely believe in a bigger presence, and I really respect all religions; at their core they all teach the same message – community and kindness and looking out for each other.

We are a gorgeous, infinite circle of women all shades, all styles, in all the ways we were made. Inside of us everything blooms.

[on Serena Williams] You are THE epitome of grace and prowess!!! You are an inspiration to all of us. Your purpose to be a leader and a light is a gift to the world!! We love you and thank you for sharing your greatness and spirit!

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.

The first step toward success will be the biggest one.

That’s how we do it… we give back to the people who made us who we are. We never forget that.

There is a certain amount of dissatisfaction that goes with knowing your time, talent and abilities are not being properly used.

It’s always good to be underestimated.

The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.

You never fail until you stop trying.

Selling is essentially a transfer of feelings.

Throw back the shoulders, let the heart sing, let the eyes flash, let the mind be lifted up, look upward and say to yourself, “Nothing is impossible!!!”

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small amount of Are makes a small amount of heat.

The most effective way to do it, is to do it.

Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time, to figure out whether you like it or not.

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.