Over the course of my life, I have been fortunate to experience a wide range of careers and passions. I built businesses, founded Essex-Morgan, LLC, advised clients, and now lead RM Global Advisors. I have also spent decades immersed in the arts, producing Broadway and off-Broadway shows, critiquing theater and film, and serving on multiple boards. Looking back, I realize that while professional success is rewarding, it is the ways we give back and contribute to others that leave the most lasting impression. Legacy is about impact, influence, and the ways we help others thrive.
Giving Back: More Than a Gesture
Giving has always been central to how I approach life. It is not just about donating money, although that is certainly part of it. The real impact comes from investing your time, knowledge, and energy in ways that create meaningful change. I have supported animal organizations, schools, and cultural institutions. Each effort, whether it is mentoring a young student, producing a play, or supporting a nonprofit, carries the opportunity to inspire and uplift. The satisfaction from helping others exceeds any reward I have received from professional accomplishments.
The Arts as a Vehicle for Legacy
Theater and the arts have been a constant thread throughout my life. Producing shows and critiquing theater for publications like Metropolitan Magazine, Nimbus Magazine, and My Life Publications has taught me that the arts are not just entertainment. They are powerful tools for connection, expression, and education. Reviewing productions like Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Ulysses, or A Bronx Tale reminds me that storytelling can change perspectives, teach empathy, and spark inspiration. By supporting theater and the arts, I am contributing to a cultural legacy that encourages creativity and dialogue across generations.
Producing a show is much like shaping a community. Each person involved has a role, and each contribution matters. Whether it is the actors, the choreographers, the set designers, or the lighting technicians, everyone comes together to create a shared experience. This collaboration mirrors the kind of teamwork and mentorship that I value in philanthropy and education. Legacy is created when people work together toward a goal greater than themselves.
Education: Building the Leaders of Tomorrow
Education is another cornerstone of leaving a lasting impact. From my own academic experiences at Manhattan College, NYU, and Yale to my service on boards for schools like St. Joseph Regional High School and Wandell School, I have seen how education transforms lives. Supporting schools, mentoring students, and encouraging young people to pursue their passions ensures that knowledge and opportunity are passed on. Education is a gift that continues to give long after we are gone because it empowers individuals to reach their potential.
Combining Passion with Purpose
The key to creating a meaningful legacy is aligning your passions with purpose. For me, that has meant combining my love of the arts, my commitment to education, and my dedication to philanthropy. Every show I produce, every critique I write, every board meeting I attend, and every donation I make is guided by a desire to leave a positive impact. Purpose gives direction to our actions and ensures that our contributions resonate beyond our own lifetimes.
The Power of Community
Legacy is never built in isolation. It requires a community that shares your vision and values. Serving on boards, supporting cultural institutions, and engaging with students and artists has reinforced that collaboration amplifies impact. Working alongside passionate and committed individuals multiplies the effects of our efforts and teaches the importance of listening, empathy, and patience. Our legacy is intertwined with the people and communities we touch.
Lessons I Have Learned
Through my work, I have learned several lessons about building a meaningful legacy. First, generosity is about more than financial support; giving your time, guidance, and encouragement can be equally transformative. Second, investing in the arts and education has long-term effects that extend far beyond the immediate moment. And third, every effort matters, even the small ones. Each action contributes to a bigger picture that can shape communities and lives.
I believe legacy is about impact, not recognition. It is about helping others, nurturing creativity, and creating opportunities that extend beyond our own achievements. By supporting the arts, promoting education, and giving back to the community, I aim to leave a positive mark that will inspire others. Every play I produce, every critique I write, and every student I mentor adds a thread to a legacy that I hope will endure.
Conclusion
Success is important, but it is only part of the story. The true measure of a life well lived is found in the impact we have on others. Crafting a legacy through giving, arts, and education allows us to touch lives, enrich communities, and inspire the next generation. It is a way of ensuring that our contributions have lasting meaning. For me, there is no greater reward than seeing the seeds we plant today grow into opportunities, creativity, and success for tomorrow.