"I went to middle school and high school, and my drama teacher, Ms. Cooper, basically nurtured me. It..." — Teyonah Parris

A show like 'Orange Is the New Black' has every race and ethnicity - and you don't even have to depend on four networks any more. You can go to Amazon or Netflix and be in an award-winning show.

I've had the struggling actor experience. At one point in New York, I was holding four jobs, including bottle service girl, while I was trying to break into acting.

It's so important... to have a variety of representation on television.

Every time I see my friends on a billboard, I'm so excited. If God can do it for me or them, he can do it for everybody.