Michael A.V. Mitchell, 36
Engagement and Impact Catalyst at MetroMorphosis and Radio Personality for Cumulus Media
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Writing first book, The Dream Is True, a practical guide to discovering your purpose and accomplishing goals.
- Starting Dream True Business Solutions and Dream True Foundation, which partnered with community organizations to host its first summer camp in 2018 called “Dreams and Art.”
- Becoming a radio personality for Cumulus Media’s award-winning radio station WXOK Heaven 1460.
COMMUNITY:
Delegate of the Urban Congress on African-American Males, Brookestown Middle School community partner, Lincoln Theatre board member, member of The Next Generation Pioneers and Governor’s Office community liaison in the aftermath of the Alton Sterling shooting
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY
God’s Big Idea by Dr. Myles Munroe
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A basketball player and actor
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
I had my first job at 13. I cut grass and cleared fields for local property owners in St. Francisville. This taught me the meaning of a hard day’s work.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
The strangest job I’ve ever had was selling knives for company called Cutco. The funny part was that kitchen knives are a necessity for cooking, so everyone had them already. I spent time convincing them that they need better quality knives and scissors that could cut through a penny.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
My favorite place is Boil & Roux and my favorite dish is the seafood platter.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Being a consistent father who makes my son smile and who his teachers know they can depend on is my greatest achievement so far.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
At the age of 25, I was the director of field operations for a security company post Hurricane Katrina. My stepdad became ill due to a heart attack and I was in a financial position to help my mom until he recovered. That was the most fulfilling moment of my professional career to this date.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA” MOMENT?
My professional “AHA” moment was when I figured out that most people are figuring things out as they go. Believe in yourself and don’t let them see you sweat.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
My hardest lesson was allowing my heart to put more on my plate than my hands could handle.
WHAT GIVES YOU PROFESSIONAL INSPIRATION?
My professional inspiration comes from my mentors, motivational videos and constantly re-evaluating my goals for the future.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
The best compliment I’ve ever gotten from a colleague is that my that they admire my versatility.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Yes, I’m most active on Facebook and Instagram.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
70 texts and 10 emails
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
5% Lol…
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
Facebook and Instagram—a few hundred due to the Great Flood of 2016. I was rescuing victims with a team of guys and once I went live on Facebook my inbox flooded, no pun intended.
Personal mail—thousands
Business email—only advertisements
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
YouTube
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Android allowing me to listen to a message or song on YouTube, check my social media and receive voice navigation all at the same time.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Air pressure sensors in vehicles. The lights never go off…
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
4:30 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
25% at home and 75% on the go
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I’m being Another Vessel for change in Baton Rouge, which is what the A.V. in my name stands for. I believe it’s my life purpose to adjust to the needs of people around me in order to produce positive and relevant change. I currently where hats as a community engagement and impact catalyst, radio host, public speaker, nonprofit owner, owner of an LLC and an inspirational artist. Some of these ventures have produced tangible impact beyond Louisiana.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
The first time I was short on my rent as a college student.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Disney World
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Basketball goal
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
To read minds. It would save a lot of time.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
A.V.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTICIOUS ABOUT?
No superstitions
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
The law of sowing and reaping regardless of the amount of time.
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
My friends say Superman because I move around a lot and manage to get difficult things done.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Water
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
T.I. – Big Things Poppin’
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
“Beverly Hills Cop” starring Eddie Murphy and “Bad Boys ll” starring Will Smith
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
My son Michael Messiah Mitchell or my nephew Lagarin Mitchell. The resemblance is undeniable.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Stay home a few more years and save some money
PETS?
No
HOBBIES?
Music
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Accepting and submitting to Christ
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
Having my music recognized nationally via hit single and movie soundtrack
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Nothing, but the things I can control
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The work you put in is the work that you get out, and I don’t plan on retiring any time soon.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Dream big, take calculated risk, remain a student and be humble.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Yes, I treasure the relationships I’ve built and I believe that my city needs me.
IF NAMED KING FOR A DAY, WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE IN BATON ROUGE?
I would fix traffic.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BATON ROUGE; WHAT WORKS AND WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT?
The population of Baton Rouge seems to be growing rapidly. Therefore it is continually building in order to accommodate the population. There is a lot of competition for jobs and contracts in our city. The culture is rich and very entertaining. The majority of people you encounter in Baton Rouge are hospitable and quick to recommend you to favorable dining spots around the city. I would work on lessening the tension between law enforcement and community members, traffic, flooding in low lying areas, food deserts and strengthening our education system to better equip our youth for the workforce. I would also promote entrepreneurship among the youth of Baton Rouge.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Buy a condo in Time Square.
- Have lunch with Will Smith.
- Perform/speak in a filled arena.
See the entire 2017 Forty under 40 class
