==On whether he'd rather be labeled more a journalist than an entertainer or commentator:

"I wouldn’t say more. What I would say is that, part of me comes with every part that I do. Even if I’m entertaining you, I’m entertaining you doing journalism because I’m researching my information, cultivating sources and resources, doin gall those things journalists do. I've always said my school of journalism was the Winston Salem Journal. These guys -- the entire white staff embraced me from day one and taught me the business and cared about me. They taught me the business from the ground up made sure I understood the rules and regulations and integrity that came with it. I wasn’t the greatest writer or reporter no matter what anyone wants to say, but they knew I tried and I was going to be pretty damn good and they believed in me before I believed in myself. Those are the people I love dearly and always remember."

"As far fetched as that may be, I’ve always aspired to be a reporter for '60 Minutes.' I’ve always loved that stuff. Like 'Real Sports.' But now I have a taste of the hosting bug, if there's the right opportunity, right channel, right muscle behind it, right time slot, all that stuff, I'd definitely want to do it. The sky is the limit. I don’t limit myself anymore. I’m happy career wise. I’m as happy as I've been in quite a while. I feel I’m pacing myself more now and cognizant of spreading myself too thin. ESPN magazine and ESPN.com want me to write for them, and I may do that rather than five columns a week. I’m monitoring those things. USA Today could be in the future.

"It’s beautiful (that) I don’t know because the possibilities are endless. That’s what it’s all about. What’s what you dream about and that’s position I'm in right now.

"One of the biggest goals is to be the best radio host I could possibly be. I have a national platform right now. It's only an hour. I don’t think that’s enough. I think it needs to be more. I don't want four hours. I'm reluctant to do three hours. But I could do three hours and two of them could be national."

==On final thoughts about how people view him:

"I only know one way to be and that’s real. I don’t know how to get in front of the mike. If I’m doing a commercial with Carmello Anthony and everyone loves it, you’re trying to act. But in front of a mike, I don't flinch. I don't back up. That's who I am. That’s just not going to change about me.

"I’ll give you a perspective. That’s my job. If I’m a black man and I’m one of the few black men hosting his own show, why do you need me if I’m not giving you my perspective? It makes no sense. ... You listen to black folks call up (and say), 'He’s got a point.' Why? Because they know I’m telling the truth. I’m trying to bring some truth and realness to the airwaves. Not to say it was non existent, but it was one sided. What I try is in talking to Colin Cowherd, to Jim Rome, to Mike Tirico ... it's not about if you agree or disagree, let me give you this perspective. Listen to me. Hear me. You can have whatever opinion you want to have but hear it. That’s what it’s all about.

"Even if you jump to a conclusion, you believe what you believe, why does that stop you from listening? Who told you you can’t learn from someone else? Listen, as a 40 year old man, even though I pride myself on possession of some degree of intelligence, the fact of the matter is that white folks, just like black folks, educated me. Listen, I want to hear what you have to say and what your presepctive is and why you feel that way because -- guess what? -- that’s how you learn.

"I grew up in a neighbood where I still have friends who don’t like being around white people. That’s a damn shame. Makes no sense. ... I think we live in a socity that tries to compartmentalize, section off, segreate people. I think that’s a mistake. Let’s all get together. Let’s talk. Every day. About whatever it is on your mind. And even you have a viewpoint I totally disagree with, I want you to feel free to express yourself (but) I ain’t gonna listen to no stupidness. Not if it don’t make sense and it’s stupid. I got no patience for that. But if you make sense, even if I disagree, I’m able to say I can understand how you feel that way.

"One of my favorite calls is one that says, 'Steven A. I gotta call you to the carpet about something.' I love that. I’m like, 'Really? What? Clearly you are challenging what I’ve said.' See, I know what I’ve said. So my whole point is I’m usually ready for any kind of response you had in disagreement because I considered that before I said what I had to say. I’m ready. If you make a valid point, you got me. But guess what, I’m not resenting you, I’m grateful. Because that makes me smarter and I’ll come back more intelligent than I was the day before. And I learned that extensively on my show 'Quite Frankly' as much as anything else. Because I listen to people tell their stories.

"I do believe if you're not making yourself better, you're moving backward. There's nothing worse than stagnancy. If you’re moving backward, you know it. If you’re stagnant, you’re moving backward, but you don’t know it. It’s worse, see what I’m saying? At some point you’re moving backward and you’re going to stop yourself because you’re tired of falling."

== Links back to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.