John Legend has revisited an essay he wrote at 15 about his ambitions to make Black history. His reflections accompany the release of Muse, connecting his teenage plans with his subsequent career.
The 16-track album was produced and co-written with his longtime friend Pharrell Williams. Legend discussed the essay during interviews promoting the release.
Writing under his birth name, John Stephens, he won the 1994 Black History Makers of Tomorrow essay competition, organised by McDonald’s for Black History Month.
Entrants were asked: “How do you plan to make Black history?”
Legend’s response described a mission for his future before he had established a public platform. It addressed self-reliance, community building and learning from the past to shape what followed.
He also described musical talent as a means of developing influence beyond entertainment, with visibility creating opportunities for social advocacy.
In the three decades since writing the essay, Legend has earned 12 Grammys, an Oscar, a Tony and an Emmy.
