Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Carson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It started in the flames.
I’m the oldest son of now-deceased parents. My mom was 16 years old, and my father was 18 years old when I was born. Both struggled mightily to raise my two younger sisters and me. Often, I was left alone to care for my sisters at night while my parents worked in an establishment beneath our apartment.
On one night, while one sister slept in the bed, the other sister and I watched television and moved about as kids our age would do when left to their own devices. When my sister attempted to turn on the bedroom light it malfunctioned, and a spark hit the bed where our sister slept. Quickly not fully understanding what to do, I woke my sister up and took them both to our parents’ room. I closed the door, put a towel underneath the door to stop the smoke and flames from getting to us and hid with them in the room. I was seven years old, and my sisters were five and four years old, respectively. We were rescued by firefighters sometime later.
I believe that my service to others started in these flames and from my observation of my mother. As a child, I diligently watched her serve others, including family and friends, at her own expense and sometimes that of ours. She did so, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
My service to my family was for me the first as I needed to grow up fast to help my parents raise me and my sisters. We grew up in extreme poverty and lived where we could. From about eight years old until 12 years old, we resided in the basement of someone’s home.
I began working at thirteen years old to relieve my parents of the burden of having to fully take care of me and began volunteering in churches and at community events. I transitioned from high school, moved out of my parents’ apartment a year later, and joined the U.S. Air Force where I served our country.
In my mid-twenties, I began serving at faith institutions and the community by becoming a mentor and patrolling gang-ridden neighborhoods with other men to reduce crime. From there, I transitioned to helping feed and clothes marginalized and homeless individuals on the Southside of Chicago. While at work in a law firm, I was approached by a frustrated white co-worker who was studying psychiatry. She exclaimed that her practicum involved speaking with incarcerated individuals and wanted to know if I would visit her class and share with them as she did not have anything in common with them and needed my help. I did not have anything in common with them either other than we were people of color. The teen individuals were allowed to leave the jail for the class under the supervision of the correctional institution and the professor. After the session, before pulling off, I wept in my car as I knew that I was in the right place. From there, I transitioned into leading a 45-member team who were in several jails and prisons on a weekly basis throughout the State providing hope and guidance.
That experience led me to start a 501(c)(3) organization, where I taught life skills and empowerment classes to men serving life and to those re-entering society from jails and prisons, partnered with a regional food bank to feed impoverished communities, and engaged in community advocacy and volunteering for political candidates and elected officials. Further, throughout my 35-year legal career, I have donated countless hours providing legal assistance to small businesses and individuals alike at no charge.
Currently, I serve as a Member of the Fulton County District Attorney Office’s Conviction Integrity Unity, Black Male Initiative Georgia (501(c)(3) organization), Zoning Appeals Board, HOA Treasurer, and as the host of Conversations with Michael Carson, among others.
These are just a few of the ways I’ve been fortunate enough to give back to others over the years. That seven-year-old boy and his sisters could have died in those flames. Instead, it ignited me to serve others with compassion in action so that I can leave a legacy of love and service for others to emulate.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth. My mother’s death at 27 years old hit our family hard and left me alone without the one person I could really rely on.
Managing things on my own is most instances a good thing and in other instances, not so much because I don’t rely on others. It’s how I had to grow up. I’ve been disappointed throughout life relying on others. Most do not know my personal struggles and for many, it may appear that I rarely have any.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a 35-year career as a legal professional, which began in the U.S. Air Force. Currently, I serve as the Intellectual Property Manager and Senior Paralegal for the YMCA of the USA. I’ve also had the opportunity to work for some of the top law firms in the country.
I specialize in what I call “compassion in action”. That is, meeting the needs of others to improve or advance their quality of life. I was proud of the non-profit I started some years ago and the impact it had on marginalized communities and individuals.
I’m most proud of the legacy of service thus far that my family, especially my adult sons, got and get to witness and how it inspires them to be better individuals and men. Further, I am proud to have authored a book entitled “Compassion in Action” which encourages teens to demonstrate compassion and embrace diversity and inclusion. (See www.ciabymuri.com)
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mother was a huge influence on my life and her legacy is ever-present with me today.
My wife has been a huge supporter, confidant, and friend for more than 31 years. I’m grateful to have her by my side.
The one thing I’ve been unsuccessful at over the years is having a mentor. That’s most likely because of my guarded nature, being an introvert, and trusting in my faith and gut to guide and lead me. The task at hand is what I’m laser-focused on and how what I do may impact others.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@carsonforsenate.com
- Website: www.carsonforsenate.com, www.imagebuildrs.com, and www.ciabymuri.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelcarsonjr/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com//carsonforsenate
- Youtube: Bit.ly/4carSON
Image Credits:
All of the images were taken with my cell phone except for the military photo. Military Photo can be created to the U.S. Air Force.
