Ron Cephas Jones

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was a very savvy character. His drinking and carousing, his charisma and intelligence... the things he did in Congress. He passed for white, then became a black advocate.

That's my job as an actor - to go on and try to do the work so subtle and so fine and specific that the memories will linger for a long time.

I've always loved Harlem and its communities.

I'm a Jersey kid originally, and I went to Ramapo State College. That was back in '78.

Essence' is political. I grew up on the magazine, looking at the covers. Seeing ourselves on the cover is political.

I learned a lot about American history though jazz, and that's why I loved American history when I was in high school. I could hear different stories - the story that they would tell in school, and then the story that I would hear in the music.

There's a fine line between lead actor and supporting actor.

I have a very close relationship with my daughter.

Life is precious - very, very precious.

Every actor wants that - to have a great character and then continue to add more into the depth of his life.

When you know your history, you have a better vision of where you're going. And, when you have that, there's no stopping you.

There's a lot of truth in family relationships.