Nafessa Williams

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

“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.”

“I'm always wanting and willing to be a voice for my people, a voice for the injustice.”

“I am so proud to be a Philadelphian. I believe there's a different drive and hustle that's instilled in us.”

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

“Successful artists don't follow trends; they create them.”

“Who would've thought that this little girl in the ghetto in Philly would be playing the first black lesbian superhero on network TV?”

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

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

“I think it can be difficult for young lesbian or young gay, bisexual, transgender to come out and be open with who they are because there's such a huge stigma attached to that preference of their sexuality.”

“When you follow your dreams, you encourage other people to follow theirs.”

“All my life, I call myself wanting to be a lawyer because of Clair Huxtable. But the real dream was to be an actress.”

“I did not know much about 'Black Lightning' beforehand, but I always wanted to play a superhero. After getting the part, I went back and read the comic books.”

“It's nice to be a part of a show I was passionate about and that's pushing the culture forward. I feel 'Black Lightning' is doing that for sure.”

“We all have that superhero inside us, but it's about tapping into it and embracing it and owning it.”

“It's cool to stay active and keep my body going.”