What is your legacy?

Yesterday evening, I was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The woman selected to receive a makeover is probably one of the most inspirational people I've heard of in a long time. Ms. Clara is a pillar in her community. She makes sure the people in her community have things most people take for granted.

As I was watching, I got to thinking about the legacy this lady is leaving for her family and community. It also made me wonder, what type of legacy will be left when I am no longer here? I don't believe a lot of people think about this. Too many of us young people aren't doing anything to leave a legacy. We don't have a cause that is near and dear to us. We are not giving back to our communities on a regular basis. (Cleaning out our closet once or twice a year is good, but what else do you do?) I think a lot of us are tired and we have no reason to be tired. We didn't march for equality. We are riding on the coat tails of others who did.

My challenge to you as well as myself is to begin working on your legacy today. Don't wait until the new year, start today. If your desire is to work with teen mothers, start doing so today. You can go to your local school, church or park district to find teen mothers. Men, start mentoring these young boys. A lot of these young boys are in need of a man to teach them how to become a man. Stop waiting on others to do for our community. There is only one Oprah and she can't and shouldn't have to do it all. I implore you to get involved and start taking back our children and communities. It is amazing that there are so many civic/community based organizations that many Black people participate in on a regular basis and the Black community is falling apart. Maybe they are doing things in the community and I am not aware of it.

I want to let everyone know that I donate blood on a regular basis. I also participate in the Glass Slipper Project (which donates prom dresses, shoes and accessories to high school girls who can't afford to purchase them) every year. I also donate clothes to various women's shelter's on a regular basis. I work with youth who need assistance in writing personal statements for college. I am also the Child Volunteer Protection Advocate for my daughter's soccer league, in addition to working full-time and going to school part-time. To those of you who think you don't have time to give back, you need to make time.