Legacies help us with our goals after we’ve passed because they have the power to inspire action and the give our ideals an chance to live on through others. Given the magical potential of legacies, we wanted to support and foster conversations around legacy building and below you’ll find some of those conversations.

Kristy Thomas

This is a topic I have thought about a good part of my life. A great deal if not all of the major life decisions I have made are based on one simple thought, “Will this make Mom and Dad proud?” My parents have been the driving force for so many of the great decisions that I have made in my life and making them proud is something I made a priority at a very young age. They made sure that my brothers and I had everything they didn’t have. As children they put all of us in lessons. I was in: piano, tap, jazz, ballet, tennis and swimming. My brothers all played an instrument and were in all kinds of sports. They wanted us to be well rounded and more than anything else they wanted us to be good people. I want my legacy wrapped up in the love that my parents showed me that I try to share with my family, students, clients and friends. Read more>>

Mark Kaiklian

It’s never too late, I used to say that I was just a late bloomer in life, only to figure out that I was right on time. We set such rigid timelines for ourselves. We have to graduate by a certain age. We have to be married by a certain age. We have to have kids at a certain age. And then we beat ourselves up when we missed the deadline. Just when I thought I was doing well in the corporate game, the players in that game kicked me out of the arcade. Read more>>

Arnell Opoku

When it’s all said and done, I hope to be remembered for two things. Being intentional and how I loved people. I believe that’s the legacy I am currently building and I hope to pass that on to those who come after me. Every business project or idea I’ve brought forth started out with an intention that goes beyond me and my desires. For example, my latest book “Yaa’s Book of Affirmations” was written with the intention of teaching children how to speak life into themselves early so they don’t go through the same struggles of low self esteem and lack of confidence as I did in the past. I hope that me building a legacy built on intentionality can encourage others to build a life of impact that will last a lifetime. Read more>>

Ariana Macahia

When I think about my legacy I think of my two little boys, Silas and Sebastian. They are my legacy and with my business I aim to provide them with generational wealth. Everyday I strive to give my boys the best life I possibly can. I hope that my passion for event decorating and planning can go from a small business to a big business. In the future I hope to expand into owning event venues or an indoor play place that my boys can one day play at and eventually own. Hopefully I can witness this dream life I wish for them but if not I hope that when I am gone I’m able to leave them with enough tools, assets, and wealth to live wonderful and happy lives. As well as lots of fun memories and being the best mom ever to them. Read more>>

Richard Podgurski

Being a landscape photographer has this incredible way of leaving a mark that sticks around long after you’ve hung up your camera. Think about it – your photos capture breathtaking scenes, those jaw-dropping landscapes that make us stop and stare in awe. They freeze those moments of natural beauty in time, and people can’t help but feel a connection to them. Read more>>

Nicklaus Gray

I will be remembered for my artwork, regardless of the form it took. There’s so many steps in-between where you want to be and where you are that you’ve gotta relish it all. A production company focused on Black and POC entertainment is still my main goal. Before i’m gone, i’m sure that will be realized. Read more>>

Hassan Wilcox

I want to build a legacy where people will remember me and my brand as something that brought joy, freedom, and encouragement. After I’m gone, people will miss my smile, my warmth, and they will also say he was the definition of trying something instead of assuming it wouldn’t work. Read more>>

Shalida Askanazi

I hope the legacy I leave behind is that I was a strong activist and advocate for the disability community. I hope my books are read years from now and can still leave an impact of hope. I would like to think that people say that I was brave and talented, and that I didn’t back down when it came to ableism. Read more>>

Rachel Henderson

I truly hope to be remembered for making people smile, caring about my family, friends & clients and making happy faces & art for ALL and promoting positivity, creativity, peace & happiness in the world.
I love seeing face painting clients smile, giggle and be amazed upon seeing themselves in the mirror after I’ve painted them. My heart swells when I teach a canvas painting class to someone who swears they’ve never painted before and don’t have an artistic bone in their body but they are smiling proudly when we all pose for a group photo holding our paintings upon completion! Read more>>

Yolanda Jamison

I definitely hope to be remembered by my family as someone who loves them more than anything in world. My children, how they navigate adulthood, the way they treat others, how they represent our family, that’s important to me. I hope my family remembers how they are cherished and knew that I would do anything for them, I’m always in their corner and their biggest cheerleader. Read more>>

Waajida Small

I am hoping that the legacy I build is one that my family, especially my children can be proud of. I want them to be able to say that their mom made a difference in the world. I know that it may sound cliche, but anytime you make a positive impact on someones life, you change the world. It is a trickling effect. Helping someone overcome an obstacle, find a solution to a problem, help them discover who they are and the impact that they want to have makes their lives better, and in turn makes the lives of those around them a little better too. Read more>>

Seddik Jelouane

Legacy is a heavy word, and I honestly don’t think I can carry its weight, even when I’m gone. But what I hope to build for myself and the community which I represent is a new tradition, one where we all break from the outdated social norms and the culture of silence, especially for those who identify as masculine people in a society that regards expressing emotions to be unmanly. I am a man who is quite open with putting his feelings out there, though I’m still working on taking off many layers from the environment I was raised in, I chose the road less traveled by and it made all the difference. Read more>>

Jasmine J. Johnson

As a producer, writer and director, I want to have a reputation for prioritizing fresh perspectives and narratives that celebrate empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity. I want my projects to be know for creating experiences for audiences across genres that are cathartic and emotionally resonant in their exploration of growth and conflict. I strive to be known for using my opportunities to elevate the voices of others, especially emerging filmmakers from diverse and female backgrounds. I want people to learn something new about somebody new every time they watch something I’ve touched in some way. I want to bring people together. Read more>>

Tanya Caines

I hope to build a legacy of helping others’ who are interested in the field of speech pathology; especially those who look like me. There are 4.9% of African American speech pathologists, so representation matters. I hope that my former students and coworkers can say I challenged their perceptions of what a speech pathologist looks like and that I brought my unique experiences and storytelling to the table every time! Read more>>

Mana Afshar

To leave behind a spirit that speaks through my art, that can live long after I’m physically gone. People can feel what I felt, see what I saw, and interpret it in their own way, but always think of me when they do. Read more>>