Michael was a powerful communicator.  His words attracted people.  Whenever Michael spoke, people would listen.  No matter what was going on, when Michael entered a room all focus was on him.  He always had this trait, even as a young child.  In school, Michael held many leadership positions (captain of the football team, class president).  Even in kindergarten, Michael was often selected to be the line leader.

Throughout college and his adult life, Michael used his voice for change.  He was an advocate for the community and for justice.  He always spoke up for what he felt was right.  He was always speaking on behalf of those who had no voice.  Michael would often lead rallies and protests for justice.  But there was one problem, Michael was able to fight for the rights of others, but he was not able to fight for himself.  He always found himself the victim of racial injustice and discrimination.  Michael graduated from college with a degree in journalism, yet he was not able to break into the field.  No matter how many doors he knocked on, no one gave him a chance. 

After over 10 years of trying to break into the field, Michael gave up.  Although he enjoyed fighting on behalf of others, he became very discouraged with his own life.  He became so discouraged that he put many of his major goals and dreams on the shelf, settling for where he was in life and concluding that he had to always fight for others, a passion that he had, but never gaining monetary reward or personal success.