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Leaving a Legacy

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The “Pink Tree” at CBW City Park.

BY CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB

When we hear the term “leaving a legacy,” we often think of inheritances, financial endowments, art, literature, world records, unimagined accomplishments. In simple terms, a legacy is a message passed on from one generation to another. One can do many great things and leave a formidable legacy… or do nothing and leave a legacy of another kind. The impact can be positive, negative, neutral, non-existent, or even evil. A lasting legacy is all about the actions you take during your life and the way those actions are remembered and shared. However, a legacy is contextual. The same behavior can be heralded by some and denigrated by others. And so it is, our legacies are complex and often competing.

From my earliest memories, the women and elders in my family instilled consistent messages about the importance and value of honoring, living, and sharing legacy. These were directives, not suggestions.

· The wisdom of women folk: Take heed.

· Nanny: A Charge to Keep Have I, God to Glorify

· A Chorus of Elders: Endow the future.

· Mom: Leave a legacy.

· The songs of my faith:

O’ Lord, don’t move the mountain

O’ Give me the strength to climb

O’ Please don’t move those stumblin’ blocks

O’ Just lead me all around

I heard the messages about the importance of being prayerful and open to receive my calling from friends, neighbors, strangers, and the writings of so many. My upbringing was grounded in the belief that I must honor the sacrifices and triumphs of those who came before me by doing my part to advance and acknowledge the contributions of my generation. I can’t help but wonder how many children are introduced to such a concept today. The good news is that it’s never too late to leave a legacy. Some people even wait until they’re dead–though I wouldn’t suggest that.

Instead, I implore you to be courageous as you make your way in the world that you might leave that legacy that is your calling. Summon and engage the four forms of courage about which Gordon Barnhart wrote: The courage to see and speak the truth, to create and champion a vision, to persevere and hold the course, to collaborate with others.

I grew up believing in possibilities, not doubting, but planning for contingencies. I was taught to view being female and Black as competitive advantages. The critical factors or how that would play out were up to me to define. I was lucky to be encouraged by amazing people, who believed in preparing for a richer, more equitable future. I have been the “only” in much of my life, so I developed the perspective, “If not me, then who? Why not me, or us?”

Boise mayor Lauren McLean unveils Cherie Buckner-Webb City Park with yours truly, and my granddaughter, Junior.

Leaving a legacy is about congruence in doing, being, living, and perspective. Preparation is needed. I encourage you to broaden your horizons, connect and engage authentically; you will be richer for it. Nurture relationships, share yourself, engage, risk a bit, find your joy! Consciously, courageously build, renew, and revive relationships. We need each other more than ever!

How to build a legacy? Purposefully seek to make this world a better place for all. Who knows, you might just get a city park as your family namesake.

Finally, I offer you Cherie’s 7 Ups:

1. Stand up: Commit to excellence. Be loyal to yourself, to the team, the mission, the organization.

2. Show up: Be there attending fully, dependably, participating, representing.

3. Speak up: Find your voice, use it effectively, speak plainly and concisely.

4. Shut up: Know when to be still and listen. Know that listening is not only an art, it is also a leadership skill.

5. Make up: Reconciliation will be necessary. There are no perfect relationships among human beings. Demonstrate compassion. Humanity cannot survive without it.

6. Re-up: Periodically take time to recommit, review the purpose, seek clarity, and obtain good counsel as needed.

7. Look up: Call on that power greater than yourself, seek strength and direction.

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