Ive been through a lot," . "Its been a tough journey. — Sheila Johnson

"“These doors would open, and I said, ‘Why can’t I go through them?’”. “And I decided I was going to go through every door that came my way.”"

"“I was always drawn to places that Black people don’t usually go,” the business executive and philanthropist wrote in her memoir, which was released in the fall."

"“I love challenges. I’m a risk-taker,”"

"“Every time I drive to the Virginia hotel, I’m like, ‘I can’t believe I built this.’ I’m very proud of myself, but to see faces of color coming through the door is really terrific. I want to go out of my way to meet as many guests as possible, because I want them to also feel a sense of ownership here.”"

"“I think I was pissed off,” she says, nodding to her years “as the little woman behind the man.” She adds: “There was a lot of me left on the table.”"

"I was young enough, and I really did believe him because I put him up on a pedestal. I really did. And I thought that everything he said was right, and I had to keep fighting through that. Thats what upset me more than anything,"