Word of the Day: Legacy (CRC) | What You Build Today Lives On

Today’s Word: Legacy

Legacy means something passed down from an ancestor, predecessor, or the past. It can be a family tradition, a valuable lesson, a skill, a story, or the example someone leaves behind.

In plain language: your legacy is what lives on because of what you do today.

According to Merriam-Webster, legacy comes from Middle English legacie, from Anglo-French and Medieval Latin legatia, from Latin legatus, meaning “deputy” or “envoy,” from legare, meaning “to appoint, send, or bequeath.”

That history reminds us that a legacy is something entrusted to us, and something we can pass forward.

When a young man builds character, skills, and generosity, he leaves something stronger for the next person in line.

Legacy in Action

Every time you read a page, keep your word, help someone, or choose a positive path, you are building your legacy. Your choices can strengthen your family, your school, your neighborhood, and your future.

In St. Petersburg and across Pinellas County, CRC brings identity-centered literacy experiences into barbershops and other trusted community spaces. Through FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM, a haircut can become a moment for mentorship, confidence, and connection.

Legacy also connects to family and generational wealth. Learning how to read, communicate, save, and plan can help young people build opportunities that reach beyond one lifetime.

Try This Today

Think of one person who made a positive difference in your life. It could be a parent, grandparent, mentor, teacher, barber, coach, or older sibling.

Write down:

• One lesson they gave you

• One strength you admire in them

• One way you can pass that strength forward

Fill in the sentence:

“The legacy I want to build is __________________ because __________________.”

Caregiver Prompt

Ask your child: “What do you want people to remember about the way you treated others?”

Then share one part of your own legacy. A short story from your life can become a powerful lesson your child carries forward.

Your legacy does not begin someday. It begins with the choices you make today, and every positive choice can help build a brighter future for the next generation.

Connect with CRC

Learn more at crcbooks.org.

Families and community partners can get involved at crcbooks.org/getinvolved.

Follow The Competitive Readers Coalition on LinkedIn.