At 15 years old, Melissa Alexander (aka Phyllis.Iller) was convinced she was going to be a DJ. She had the passion, the love for music and the rhythm to make it happen. All she needed was the equipment. So when her father asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she made sure to ask for two turntables and a mixer. To her surprise, she received a small digital camera instead. “I was slightly disappointed,” she recalls, “but, little did I know, this would be the beginning of a love affair documenting the life I saw before me.”

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After becoming the first black woman to win an Oscar Award for costume design last month, the internet buzzed with her name, but Ruth Carter’s legacy began decades ago. In fact, her career in film started more than 30 years ago when she designed costumes for Spike Lee’s “School Daze” in 1987. Since then, she’s worked with some of Hollywood’s most prominent directors including Robert Townsend, Ava Duvernay, Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Lee Daniels and of course, Spike Lee.

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It’s not everyday that we’re confronted with the idea of legacy. Sure, we’re taught that actions have consequences and that what we do matters, but when was the last time you thought long and hard about legacy? When was the last time you reflected on your role in the larger world? Have you taken the time to consider how the heritage of your ancestors determined so much of who you are today? These are the questions painter and artistic director Jarvares “J.Q.” Franklin encourages us to ask ourselves.

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It doesn’t take long for guests to take note of Canopy’s  luxurious vibe. Within seconds of entering the West Peachtree parking garage, valet staff greets you with smiling faces as they grab your bag and park your car because, well, self-parking isn’t allowed. Located in the city’s artistic district, the boutique hotel is walking distance from Piedmont Park, Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Alliance Theatre and the High Museum of Art.

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