Peace, family! The second interview in part 1 of my "Black Legacy" interview series, "The Black Man Can" features a Black man that I've been in awe of since we met. This brother will surely inspire you. Read below to find out who he is and what he does.
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Michael McConnell is an award-winning brand consultant, cultural marketer, community leader, and author whose work bridges innovation, equity, and impact. A proud New Yorker raised in the vibrant yet challenging streets of Jamaica, Queens, in the 1980s, he embodies resilience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
As the founder of The Rebel Camp, Michael has played a key role in launching tech startups, beverage brands, and wellness initiatives. He serves as the co-founder, Head of Culture, and Marketing Director for Uncle Waithley’s Beverage Company, a premium ginger beer brand now stocked in Whole Foods. His work extends into social impact as a founding board member of Equity Platforms, an organization democratizing ownership and creating affordable housing solutions for those in need.
A fierce advocate for mental health equity, Michael has spearheaded initiatives to expand access to wellness resources for underserved communities in New York City. His dedication to youth welfare has been formally recognized by the New York City Department of Education.
In 2008, Michael contributed as the marketing director for Text to Pledge®, a mobile giving platform that has since raised over $250 million for charitable organizations. His entrepreneurial excellence was further cemented when he and his partners received the Black Ambition Prize in 2023 for their work with Uncle Waithley’s.
Adding author to his extensive resume, Michael penned Inner Warriorship: Memoir of a Latch-Key Kid [available late 2025], a deeply personal narrative of overcoming childhood trauma and channeling adversity into strength. His work and ventures have been featured in Afrotech, Business Insider, Forbes, and Black Enterprise, with collaborations spanning global brands such as LVMH, Healthline Media, and Sprite.
Above all, Michael takes the most pride in his role as a father to Maxwell, Elijah, and Indigo. Whether building brands, shaping culture, or driving community impact, he remains dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and lasting change.
Personal Legacy Journey
Q1: Tell us about your upbringing. What early influences shaped who you are today?
A1: One of my earliest influences was Bruce Lee. Growing up, we watched a ton of kung fu films, and I admired him not just for his action-packed fight scenes but because he always stood up for what was right in his movies. His films carried a strong cultural context, which resonated with me. What many people don’t know is that Bruce Lee was also a philosophy major and authored The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, a book that explores his commentary and expressions on martial arts and unarmed combat. I grew up in South Jamaica, Queens in the ’80s, a tough environment where we often had to fight just to get by. Bruce intrigued me because of his confidence, intelligence, and ability to overcome obstacles. I’ve always been drawn to underdogs and the pursuit of strength, not just physical strength, but the resilience needed to survive. Bruce was a hero of mine early on, and that admiration led me to study Jeet Kune Do, the martial art he developed. Martial arts has since been an integral part of my life.
Q2: What inspired you to pursue your career path? Were there pivotal moments that changed your direction or perspective?
A2: If I’m being completely honest, what inspired me was the amount of negativity I received from former friends and family members when I shared my goals. I come from a blue-collar family where most people followed the same pipeline; getting city jobs, retiring at 65, and spending the majority of their lives unhappy, unfulfilled, and resentful. I saw myself heading down that same path while working in the mailroom in the private sector. One day, I woke up and asked myself, Who do I really want to be? It was now or never. I realized that the negativity I was experiencing from my family wasn’t a reflection of my potential, it was a sign that my goals were valuable enough to trigger fear in others. If my dreams were intimidating enough to spark that kind of reaction, then they were worth pursuing. The pivotal moments that changed my life came when I was exposed to different styles of music, fashion, and culture through friends. That exposure helped me break free from the limited beliefs I was raised with and develop a more global perspective. This shift was crucial because, at the time, I only saw three types of successful people, and none of them seemed like viable options for me. Expanding my worldview allowed me to see new possibilities and ultimately carve my own path.
Q3: Who have been your biggest role models or mentors, and how have they impacted your journey?
A3: I’ll be honest, I’ve never had a consistent mentor or role model in the traditional sense. However, my biggest inspiration was my grandfather. He was a man’s man, someone who carried himself with dignity, commanded respect, and had a powerful presence in any room.
For a short but meaningful period, he gave me a sense of childhood and normalcy, something I deeply appreciated while growing up in a household filled with trauma and negativity. He was a decorated war hero, a Purple Heart recipient, and endured a level of racism that shocked me to my core, even as a veteran who had sacrificed for his country.
I miss him every day, and when life gets difficult, I often tap into his energy for strength and guidance. His resilience, honor, and unwavering presence continue to shape the way I navigate the world.
Community Impact and Responsibility
Q4: How has your work contributed to the Black community?
A4: I have over 30 years of experience serving my community, starting at 16 as a summer youth counselor for the National Council of Negro Women. As a teenager, I was considered at-risk, but the program I entered changed my mindset and set me on a different path.
My community work is broad, but mental health equity is especially personal to me because so many of us lack access to care, and cultural stigmas only make it harder. I serve as the Community Director for Love & Kindness Wellness Services in Brooklyn, which provides mental health services and free community events. Beyond that, I’ve founded multiple companies that employ and support the community. One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is Equity Platforms, which creates generational wealth ecosystems with a focus on affordable housing, investing, and community development.
Q5: In your opinion, what does Black male leadership look like today, and how can it grow stronger?
A5: Honestly, I’m not pleased with the current state of Black male leadership. Too many Black men lack a backbone and I feel like they learn this from pop culture. We need to understand that leadership isn’t just about the individual, it’s about the collective. To grow stronger, we must cultivate emotional intelligence and learn to collaborate without competing, tearing each other down, or waiting for someone else to save us. Our historical challenges are real, but time waits for no man. That’s why mental health is essential, it helps us strike the balance between being empathetic and knowing when to embrace the warrior within.
One of my favorite books, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore, explores these archetypes in manhood. As men, we are never just one thing. We must develop a well-rounded approach to leadership. I didn’t grow up with strong male role models, but I recognized my own shortcomings and committed to becoming a better leader for myself, my family, and my community.
Q6: How do you empower others, particularly younger Black men, to succeed and leave their own legacy?
A6: I hold space, through community events, mentorship, and opportunities for connection. I bring men I look up to into these spaces so they can share their wisdom with the next generation. In 2025, all my community events will be in Brownsville and Bed-Stuy, working in partnership with the City of New York and Love & Kindness Wellness Services. One of the initiatives I’m involved with is the Black Men Speak barbershop series, founded by Dashaun Simmons and Javere Pinnock. We hosted our first awards ceremony in November, and we regularly invite youth-based organizations to give young Black men a platform to speak and be heard.
Beyond that, I’ve helped launch nonprofits dedicated to taking inner-city male youth on overnight camping trips, providing them with experiences outside their usual environment. Helping young people grow and thrive is one of my greatest passions.
Black Culture and Heritage
Q7: What does Black culture mean to you?
A7: Creativity, Excellence, Joy, and Resilience in the face of adversity.
Q8: How do you stay connected to your heritage, and why is it important for others to do the same?
A8: I deeply believe in ancestral remembrance, tapping into the wisdom and strength of those who came before me. My grandparents, in particular, built a beautiful life despite the racism and hardships they endured. I encourage others to do the same - connect with their lineage, and if that’s not possible, seek wisdom from the elders in their communities. Even if they aren’t related to you by blood, their experiences can provide guidance and strength. I always carry my grandparents' warrior spirit with me.
Q9: What does the word "legacy" mean to you as a Black man?
A9: I recently heard Mike Tyson say, “Legacy doesn’t matter,” during that staged fight with Jake Paul, and it really upset me. I completely disagree. Legacy means everything.
Legacy keeps us on the straight and narrow. It preserves our dignity, pride, and spirit. If legacy wasn’t important, why would powerful politicians and billionaires put so much emphasis on preserving their bloodlines and generational success? We don’t have to follow their playbook, but we do need to use our time on this planet to build something meaningful for our families and communities.
Vision for the Future
Q10: What are your hopes for the future of the Black community?
A10: I hope we can stop infighting and start combining our talents to become self-sufficient instead of relying on broken systems. I hope we leave behind platforms like The Shade Room and WorldStar, which thrive on division and negativity. I want us to value the sauce more than the tea, to prioritize building over gossip. I believe the future is bright because we are moving away from systems designed to keep us small, dependent, and divided. We are on the verge of a Black Renaissance, one where we live healthier, more loving, and more empowered lives.
Q11: What advice would you give to young Black men seeking to define their purpose and build a meaningful legacy?
A11: You are living in the most information resource-rich era in history. You have access to thousands of digital libraries filled with information that can help you become successful.
Make daily learning a habit. Develop your communication skills and learn how to speak with people from all walks of life. It’s on purpose, but they push and peddle negativity and ignorance to you. Understand the game they play and walk around it. Understand that legacy is not built overnight—it’s a lifetime commitment. Be purpose-driven, and embrace the idea that you may have multiple purposes throughout your life.
Q12: How can we, as a collective, work toward a stronger, united future for Black people? A12: Stop expecting anything from people outside our community. We need to be less talk, more action, combining our talents, resources, and knowledge to build self-sufficient ecosystems. Our ancestors relied on bartering and reciprocity, we should bring that back.
If we implement basic reciprocity in our daily interactions, we will build communities rooted in respect and empowerment.
Rapid-Fire Insights
Q13: What is your favorite book or movie about Black excellence?
A13: My own book, Inner Warriorship: Memoir of a Latchkey Kid, which will be released in late 2025.
Q14: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A14: Never show up with an empty cup, always bring value to every exchange.
Q15: What’s one word that describes your legacy so far?
A15: Brave. I say brave because I survived so much and have still risen to the top.
Q16: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A16: Playing outside at my grandfather’s house with the neighborhood kids, feeling completely free to be a child. Despite his own struggles, my grandfather was intentional about creating dream-like experiences for me. It was a much-needed escape from the turmoil in my home.
Q17: What was your dream as a child?
A17: To be safe. And I’ve made sure to provide that security for my three children.
Thank you all for reading this interview. As mentioned, this brother is someone who inspires me greatly, and in the spirit of collaboration and building a better future for us and our families, I'd love to work with this brother in some capacity. We'll see how things unfold.
Please leave a comment and then share this article on your social media accounts. This brother's message needs to be heard by the masses!
Peace & Love,
Lashawn "Suga Ray" Marston,
Founder, Lashawn Marston Enterprises
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