Before #BlackHistoryMonth is over, here’s a bit of #BlackHerstory: It's 1988. Dangle earrings & massive wigs have me in a chokehold. I’d recently become the 1st black woman to win an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy so I took my sister, Brenda, to Paris to celebrate. We were walking in front of the Arc de Triomphe on a gorgeous day and Brenda was being an unbelievable drag. She was begging me to go to Versailles and I couldn’t think of anything that sounded more BORING.

“Go by yourself,” I said. “I don’t need to be bothered with you.” 💅🏾

It’s crazy to think that 227 premiered 34 years ago today.

When I reflect on that time, I remember a valuable lesson that I’d like to share.

Buckle up! It’s story time. 💫 NBC had arranged to fly me from NYC to LA to read for the part of Rose. And I was ecstatic! I’d never been on a plane by myself before, and although I was in coach it felt like first class. Plus, I was the only black person on the flight.

NBC sent for ME! I had this job!