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The work is just over 30 minutes because, as Cox said, "I was only in my twenties when filmed it." Conducting Life is an entertaining but useful tool for the Roderick Cox Music Initiative. Moore said as a documentarian, she wants a call to action in her films. Helping open doors for young people of color to the classical world and benefiting the Initiative fit perfectly. "It wasn't difficult to get people to talk about Roderick on camera," she said. "Though his talent and drive alone serve him well, his kindness and talent draw people to want to help. I got a call one day from a woman in Minnesota saying, 'Hi, I'm a champion of Roderick's. How can I help?' She was Yvonne Cheek, a businesswoman who is on the board of the Minnesota Orchestra and helped start the Initiative. She became one of the film's executive producers and an invaluable ally along with many others. There are a lot of people rooting for Roderick." Moore said there are many on board who are appalled at the hundreds of years of racism and long for a day that is more equitable. "The point isn't to sweep it under the rug but to put it behind us so skin color or gender isn't the issue," she said. "I think Roderick and I are aligned in wanting to look at who people are, what they love, what they're creating. He's a conductor pursuing his very best, pushing himself but also wanting to push open doors for others. That message is fairly clear." Cox will be in Macon for the film and will participate in a Q&A following the screening. "I'm very aware of where I came from and its musical traditions," he said. "Traditions from singing in church to Little Richard to those who followed. Macon is not just a place I'm lucky to be from, but a place where great art comes from. I'm proud of that." RIVERSIDE DRIVE STORE 3720 Riverside Dr., Macon FORSYTH ROAD STORE 4433 Forsyth Rd., Macon HIGHWAY 96 STORE 5220 GA 96, Jeffersonville BOLINGBROKE STORE 5969 US 41, Bolingbroke OCMULGEE EAST STORE 4900 Ocmulgee East Blvd., Macon HIGHWAY 49 STORE 717 GA 49 N, Macon DRIVEN BY PRODUCTIVITY, FUELED BY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SINCE 1952 Serving Central Georgia with six locally-owned retail locations focused on the highest standards of cleanliness, service, and efficiency 52 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022