MY MISSION
“MY MISSION IN LIFE IS NOT MERELY TO SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE; AND TO DO SO WITH SOME PASSION, SOME COMPASSION, SOME HUMOR, AND SOME STYLE.”
~MAYA ANGELOU
We’ve seen progress since the America I grew up in, but communities of color continue to endure discrimination and trauma. I was raised by a single parent and strong black woman who instilled in me a drive to make a difference and stressed that the most effective means of affecting social change and diversity is to lead by example. The United States of 2050 will look very different from the country that existed just a decade ago, at the dawn of the new millennium. Between 2000 and 2050, the vast majority of America's net population growth will come from minorities, particularly Asians and Hispanics, as well as a growing mixed-race population.
This inspired me to achieve a number of firsts during my professional life. From the Annenberg School at The University of Southern California, to executive leadership roles at Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Coors Brewing, General Motors Corp; as an on-air contributor at CNBC, and my consulting practice, 2050 Marketing.
I am especially proud to return to my alma mater as a professor at the Kent State University School of Media and Journalism. Helping to educate the next generation of communications professionals is a passion that I share.
At each stop along the journey, I built a reputation for building diverse and inclusive teams that cultivated transparent, trusted, personal and professional relationships. I am a passionate champion of diversity and inclusion, racial equality, economic opportunity and upward mobility for our next generation of leaders. This generation is looking for brands that are a reflection of who they are and what they believe in. Deliver that to them and they will return the favor with a conversation in social media and a recommendation that will result in significant value for your brand.
2050 advises clients ranging from Fortune 500 brands to start-ups, on the execution of brand building, digital and social media strategies. I continue to strive to be on the leading edge of culture, transcending corporate, but relevant to a generation of startups and entrepreneurs.
“Mike is a big thinker: creative and strategic while remaining focused on executional details. He is not afraid to challenge the status quo and seeks to drive improvements in the business that better connect with and serve the customers — and ultimately the consumers — in the value chain.
Mike is well connected and keeps a healthy external focus, which when coupled with his incredible experience across industries and brands, provides a unique ability to drive company change initiatives. Mike was one of the first people I’d go to when changes for improvement needed to happen as he could influence others, remove barriers and make things happen better than most. He sets a clear agenda, brings others along and does things the right way.”