In our experience, talking about legacy is often subtly discouraged by society and we find this to be deeply unfortunate. Thinking about the legacy you would like to build can help you better align your work, life, time – your sweat and tears – with your values. Below, we’ve tried to create a space for folks to start conversations about they legacies they are hoping to build.

Sarah Katumu

I pray my legacy will be to give voice to others, highlighting beautiful stories in places of both brokenness and redemption. The past few years I’ve worked with both On Angels’ Wings and Captures for Clark. Serving as a bereavement photographer is a place where I witness both the celebration of life and the grieving of death. It’s a strangely beautiful way to give of my time and talent. I’ve photographed families with their children who won’t live much longer. Read more>>

Jody

I hope my legacy shows that I was someone who always strived to enhance who I was and learn to be a better person . I want to be known for helping others, and being able to have a platform that allows people to come together . Read more>>

Katie LeCluyse

Leaving a mark on this world has always been something I’ve hoped for my entire life. As I’ve now entered the film industry, filmmaking and storytelling has become a part of my everyday life. Being able to communicate in this specific artistic form has been an honor and more fulfilling than I ever thought it would be. Thus, I believe my legacy is now tied to the artist in me. There are so many stories that I’m just bursting to share with the world. Stories that I believe can spark conversation, curiosity, new perspectives and deep emotions–all things that are vital to human life. Read more>>

Dajour Fontenot

I know my legacy will be my vision and contributions to either Art, Music, Entertainment, Media,Fashion,etc will have a timeless impact. Anything creative I lay a finger on I want my work ethic in private to show how long my legacy will last in public. To spark the minds of generations after me. To influence those who is like me, doubted and misunderstood. But once you express yourself creatively they understand now. Read more>>

Bryson and Peighton Cantrell

Well, I (Peighton) know I don’t want any part of my life to be boring! Our legacy together, isn’t something we’ve thought about. We do know that when our story is told we want it to emphasize the importance of helping other children achieve their goals and ambitions. Everyone knows all children are not provided with the same opportunities in life, and we’ve always wanted to help fill that void by providing information and experiences for others, in any way we can. Read more>>

Kimberly McDonald

I hope that my legacy will be an absolute reverence and love for nature. This planet that we live on is so magnificent and the things that are created over the ages within the earth such as agates, geodes, opals….These things are works of art. As advanced as we think we are as a civilization we cannot duplicate what nature has done. I think when you step back and realize this you can’t help but want to take care of the earth. You can’t abide by blatant disrespect and mistreatment of the earth. You’ become conscious on another level. A deeper level. You realize that life is amazing. And precious. And you become protective of it. Read more>>

Patty Pato” Mcfarlane “

I hope my legacy will be that I not only that i create with joy but that I help others along the way. I hope that I will have used my gift to lift others up either financially or by teaching or working beside them, I want to empower women to keep going towards their dreams even if they start small like I did with a little box of stick figure greeting cards. Read more>>

Maggie Gerth

The legacy I hope to achieve with Props Luggage is that the leg system is now a part of most suitcases. Just as we cannot remember cases without wheels, I hope this is the same disruption or enormous change in the industry. The other legacy I hope to achieve is on a much smaller scale but as important to me. I am a mother to four daughters, and I hope from this experience that they realize whatever they dream, they can achieve. Read more>>

Devin Jarmon

I want to be known as a fighter. Someone who never gave up. Someone who faced her fears and adversity head on. No risk. No reward. As I continue to push boundaries and innovate in my career , I hope to leave a legacy my children can be proud of. Maybe the proud owner/chef of an up and coming James Beard winning concept or two. I think anything is possible with the right mindset and vision. Read more>>

Garai Caruth

I don’t often think about legacy. Even before I founded PJJS, my goals could best be described as wanting to build “sandcastles” in my life. Nothing is forever and the pursuit of impact beyond your time oftentimes sacrifices the beauty of being in the present moment. The tide pulls all of our structures in eventually, but finding joy in the process of walking along lifes’ beach, finding a great spot to build a castle, meeting friends and colleagues with common goals that help you build something beautiful… that’s what I am constantly aiming for. Read more>>

John Tutson

To Think Over The Last 7 Years Of Being In Business, I’d Want My Legacy To Be Defined By One Word. “GREATNESS”! My Strive For Greatness Will Be Unmatched. I Created A Brand & Legacy From Selling Food Out Of My Car. From That In 7 Years I’ve Built A Brand That Employs Over 20 Individuals, Has Become A Trademarked Franchise (Cartels Kitchen Seafood & More™️), Became A Celebrity & Renown Chef. Read more>>

Kimberly Angel W.

Starting a photography business is full of highs and lows. It seems like such a simple creative business to start, buy the equipment, find the client, make the money, but as you find your niche and passion you soon realize that photography holds so much more importance than most people realize. You start to think about the “why” behind your passion. As a Boudoir Photographer my goal was to capture beautiful portraits of beautiful women, seems simple enough. Now almost 10 years into my business, Read more>>

Christina Setliff

My goal is to leave a legacy of change within DC nightlife, culture and our electronic music scene. I want to be more than just a brand or the face of our community, I want to be able to say that I’ve made a real, systematic change. There are plenty of ways that I would love to see progress, and safety is one of them. I’ve even began wondering what it would be like getting into the politics of it all, which is something you would have never caught me saying a few years ago, but now, it’s something I’ve really grown to care about. Read more>>

Deborah Ware

As a writer/author, singer and inspirational inspirer I hope that my legacy , my books and music can bring togetherness, support and will definitely encourage others to be there for those that have a difficult time, and inspire women to love themselves more and model that inspiration in a very professional and confident way. As inspiring women we can build together to help one another to be better role models for our youth that have eyes on us all of the time. Read more>>

riviera lambert

I hope my legacy would be that my son and his children would not have to struggle mentally, emotionally, and financially. I hope that my business and my books will heal and save people’s lives. I hope my legacy brings love and peace to everyone’s mind, body and spirit. Read more>>

Julie Voris

The more I grew my business, the more I thought about legacy. In fact, someone asked me to describe how my business has changed my life in one word, and I said that one word : legacy. Everything about saying yes and stepping into entrepreneur life, very different from what I went to school to do, very different from what anyone in my family has done, everything about that one word : yes has changed my life. Read more>>

Todd Coats

As corny as it sounds, I hope I’m remembered for advice my parents gave. “Leave everything better than you found it.” I’m sure they meant the kitchen or the wash room, but think about it. That philosophy applies to helping the less fortunate, building your team and especially in the creative world, it means ALWAYS looking for a better way. Read more>>

Curtia S. Jarvis Roberts

The legacy I hope to leave behind is that I cared, and I gave my best! I cared and gave my best to Myself, My Children, My Husband, My Family, My Friends, and My Loved ones. Some may think that this is so simple but for me it’s the simple things in life that matter the most. If you really think about it, if you don’t care about anything or anyone you won’t give it or them your best. Read more>>

Eugenia Chu Author

I hope my legacy will be that I helped bridge the gap between diverse cultural backgrounds by enabling more children to see themselves in books and to bring awareness of another culture to others. I think it is so important for children to be able to see themselves in books to help bolster self-esteem by gaining a sense of affirmation about themselves and their culture. I remember when I was little, Read more>>

Jotwyla Moore

It is my passion to empower women. I want women to understand their place in history (not in terms of what history books record and status in society) but in terms of what we accomplished in our families, community, workplaces, churches, and how significant our contributions have been and continue to be to progress and successes in every space we find ourselves. I do this through my Empowerment Subscription Service, the books that I author and providing a platform to allow women to share their stories with others. Read more>>