Creating Pathways to Success: Horace's Mission to Transform Lives Through LegacyCreators
- McKinley Ogden
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
"My work is about creating a roadmap to success! A roadmap for students to connect their 'why' and 'how' to “successful outcomes.” LegacyCreators was born from my commitment to service, but it's always been about more than education. It's about retention, graduation, and careers as a means to create leaders who serve as role models for their communities."
A Mission Close to Horace's Heart:
When Horace Allen reflected on the students in marginalized and underserved communities across North Carolina, he saw brilliant minds with untapped potential who needed guidance to navigate their path to success. Having personally experienced the transformative power of goal-setting and strategic planning through his 40+ years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, Horace recognized his responsibility to create systematic pathways that enable students to connect with their purpose and achieve their dreams.
What is LegacyCreators:
Located in Raleigh, NC, LegacyCreators has been transforming lives for more than 10 years since its founding. Horace's approach provides a comprehensive Roadmap to Success for middle school, high school and college students, by connecting "The Why" and "The How" to “Successful Outcomes.” His mission is clear: to improve the rates of retention, graduation, and employment for students from marginalized and underserved communities, thereby creating leaders who will serve as academic and professional role models for community growth and sustainability.
At the heart of LegacyCreators is the Personal Goal Tracker, a foundational document that contains each student's personal, academic, educational, and career goals. These milestones are carefully evaluated and updated every 30, 60, and 90 days, to ensure students stay connected to their vision, mission and progress toward their dreams.
Challenges that led to growth:
Building a purpose driven social enterprise presented unique challenges that tested Horace's resilience and vision. Despite his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and decades of experience, he navigated the complex world of introducing successful outcomes to a demographic unaccustomed to goal setting, college admissions, college scholarships, and professional careers. His greatest struggle came in convincing both students and parents of the value of personal branding and marketing through digital portfolios. By staying true to his mission and facilitating systematic, replicable, successful outcomes, Horace transformed obstacles into opportunities for community wide impact.
echo's Support of Horace's Journey:
When asked about echo's support, Horace speaks with deep appreciation about how the community has fundamentally elevated his social entrepreneurship journey. Despite his extensive corporate and entrepreneurial background, echo has raised his game in critical areas, including mission clarity, vision development, organizational messaging, and the complex world of obtaining and maintaining financial partnerships.
The community also introduced Horace to exciting trends in AI and leveraging the internet as a powerful tool for creating successful outcomes, while surrounding him with like minded entrepreneurs on similar journeys.
“The echo Community has been invaluable to the progression and launch of LegacyCreators. The echo community leadership team is GREAT and second to none. Not only do all of my questions get answered on a timely basis, but the echo Leadership Team anticipates the questions that I am not knowledgeable enough to know what to ask. As an entrepreneur who earned an MBA from Kellogg, I know the difference between good and great - and Echo is GREAT."
The Joy of Perseverance:
Through his unwavering commitment and echo's supportive community, Horace has transformed his vision into a measurable impact. LegacyCreators is now actively serving students and creating profound transformation in communities across North Carolina. Horace's most fulfilling moment as an entrepreneur came when three students from his Class of 2024 were accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from South Garner High School, a Title I high school within the Wake County Public School System. This achievement represents the systematic, replicable success that drives his mission forward.
Horace's Advice to Fellow Entrepreneurs:
Drawing from his extensive experience building LegacyCreators and decades in corporate and entrepreneurial ventures, Horace offers three essential pieces of advice:
Be true to yourself and the mission of the organization. Authenticity in purpose creates the foundation for lasting impact and meaningful work.
Manage for the future, not the present. Keep your eye on the PRIZE! Work hard and smart, staying focused on long term vision while navigating daily challenges.
Do not take it personally when you face rejection or disapproval. Haters will hate! Resilience and persistence are essential qualities for any entrepreneur committed to creating change.
It’s Your Turn to Create Legacy:
Horace's story with LegacyCreators demonstrates that with vision, a systematic approach, and the right support system, social entrepreneurs can build organizations that serve their community while creating measurable, replicable impact. His journey from corporate executive to social entrepreneur shows that experience combined with passion and proper guidance can transform entire communities, one student at a time.
If you need help with your business like Horace, feel free to check out our programs, services, or contact us. echo is here to guide you step by step, just as we did for Horace, helping transform your vision into a successful, impactful enterprise.
Connect with Horace:
🌐 Website: https://www.legacycreators.org
LegacyCreators Students Admissions to Colleges and Universities
LegacyCreators Students Personal Branding and Marketing Digital Portfolios
LegacyCreators Students Scholarships: General
LegacyCreators Students Scholarships: Fidelity Investments
📈 The Why - Personal Goal Tracker: Secondary Students
The How - CTE Course, Career Management (Course Code: ED45)
Successful Outcomes: Best Paying Jobs, Fastest Growing Jobs, Average Salary Per MBA Program, and College Tours & Events
📊 LegacyCreators Students Success Stories: High School | College
LegacyCreators Students Community Service: High School | College
LegacyCreators Students Economic Development, Employment: High School | College
LegacyCreators Students: Internships
Author’s Note:
Ihsan Mohammed is a passionate storyteller and a valued member of echo's marketing team. Currently a senior at Meredith College, she is majoring in interior design with a minor in marketing. Ihsan's professional writing journey began in her senior year of high school when she participated in echo’s teen program, Shiboka 1st Edition. This experience led her to write the articles "They Stole Our Jobs" and "Success in Business," as well as the poem "When the Sun Rises." When she's not designing or working, Ihsan enjoys spending time with her family, sculpting, and exploring nature.
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