Yvonne Orji

I remember, growing up, it wasn't sexy to be African. We got called names.

There are so many professional women who have to be this boss, but when they get home, it's like, 'Can someone take care of me? Can I not be so powerful?'

There's random people calling my phone: 'Your mother gave me your number.' My mother has tried to set me up so many times long-distance.

I had my masters in public health, and the goal was to be a doctor, and organic chemistry let me know that that was not going to happen, as did my fear of blood.

My faith has really been the biggest asset of my career. It has grounded me and let me focus on what's important.

Wanda Sykes and I have had similar career trajectories. We're both from the D.C. area. She spent five years working as a contracting specialist for the NSA, and I got my master's in public health.

There's a lot of negative speak about what it means to be an immigrant. I'm like, 'OK, I don't know where that came from.' We do the dirty jobs. We do the good jobs. We get the job done.

I have a saying: Nigerians don't fit in second place. Everything we do we go hard.

I grew up in a place called Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the youngest of four. What I remember most about Nigeria was the ease. I would play by the pool, have fun with friends.

I always say my Christianity and my virginity don't limit options. I think that they refine my options.

As strong as we are, we have our moments. My mama is an African woman who had four kids and was a nurse for 25 years, and she had her moments. I've seen her cry.

I'll probably always opt for makeup because I just like the way it feels. You can play with it and create different looks, and I think that's fun. But I also want the option to not need it.