‘The best illustrations take the story to another level and add extra layers of meaning and subtleties that can be discovered or are revealed over multiple readings.’

“The experience of leaving your homeland, for many not by choice, is what binds us together.”

“I am often inspired by visiting unfamiliar places, the different sounds you hear as well as words. I suppose I was brought up in a family where language was entertainment…”

“I have travelled widely to places connected with each one of the scientists I have written about. I have met quite a few people and gathered information. Many times, I have taken the pictures myself.”

“I often went for a walk straight after my writing and editing time, to blow cobwebs away and to reconnect to the here and now, to smell roses and rosemary and lilac and jasmine in the beautiful gardens of East Orange.”

“The life of a writer is precarious so its diversify or watch your career go down the gurgler.”

‘I think in order to write a compelling memoir, you need to leave your ego at the door and be vulnerable. That’s the most important element. I couldn’t have written Hip Hop & Hymns if I was too worried about what other people would think of me.’

‘I really believe there’s a lot of ancestral knowledge that pertains to the power of storytelling. It’s not only a way to bridge cultural gaps but also a way to teach, critique systems, and build community.’

‘Writing fiction means imagining yourself into the shoes of your characters. In those deep places you find very personal stuff, confronting and meaningful and enlightening.’