NAAHP Blog

Q: Can you tell us more about yourself, your background, and your experience?
James: My name is James Michel. I was born in Haiti and raised in New Jersey, having moved to the US at the age of 13. I graduated from Hillside High School, then went to earn an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Union County College. I later pursued studies in Bioinformatics at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.

I spent over a decade working as an underwriter at The Hartford before transitioning to pursue my own business full time as a General Contractor. Beyond my professional career, I’ve remained deeply committed to supporting the Haitian community, particularly in the areas of immigration advocacy and civic engagement. For the past twenty years, I’ve served as an election challenger and have actively collaborated with local officials to help drive meaningful, positive changes within my community.

Q: How has your educational background prepared you for what you do today?
James: Although I studied Technology, my career path took a different direction. I began in the Insurance Industry, where I found both opportunity and financial stability, and later expanded into Tax Services. Eventually, I relocated to Georgia to fully dedicate myself to growing my contracting business, JMP Multi Services LLC. While my professional journey has evolved over time, one thing has remained constant: my passion for helping people, which continues to be the driving force behind everything I do.

Q: You transitioned from technology and insurance to general contracting. What influenced that decision?
James: While I truly valued my studies and early career, I discovered a deeper sense of purpose in directly serving my community. Many Haitians in the US face language barriers and challenges accessing essential services, and I’ve always been driven to assist wherever I can. Owning my own business has provided the flexibility to continue this important work, allowing me to support my community while also building something meaningful and lasting for myself.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work?
James: One of my biggest challenges is staying engaged and continuously growing. I don’t like being idle, I always look for new projects or ways to improve. When I worked in insurance, I would constantly ask my boss for more assignments to stay busy. Now, as a business owner, I am always seeking new opportunities to expand and evolve.

Q: What would you say is your greatest professional or personal accomplishment so far?
James: One of my proudest achievements was leading a high-stakes project at my previous company under a tight deadline. The task was critical to the company’s operations, and I took charge to ensure it was completed on time, ultimately saving the company money. That experience reinforced my ability to lead, solve problems, and deliver results in high-pressure situations.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations?
James: I want to continue growing my business while expanding my impact in the community. Helping others will always be a priority for me, whether through my professional services or civic engagement. I believe in using my skills and experience to uplift others and create meaningful change.

Q: What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned so far?
James: I’ve learned that leadership is best demonstrated by example. Actions speak louder than words, and true leaders inspire others through their work ethic, integrity, and dedication to a shared vision.

Q: What advice would you give to young people in the Haitian community trying to build a future in the U.S.?
James: I would tell them to believe in themselves, pursue education, and take advantage of available technology. Having strong role models in the community is essential, and we must support young people as much as possible to help them succeed.

Q: Who or what inspires you?
James: My parents inspire me the most. I want to make them proud, and in the future, I hope my children will also strive to go above and beyond in fulfilling their dreams.

Q: What are your hobbies?
James: In my free time, I enjoy working out, going to the park, or reading a book.

Q: How and why do you help your community?
James: I used to organize meetings with elected officials and community leaders to discuss how we could foster positive change, especially after the passing of our elected president. Unfortunately, due to a lack of consistency and clear objectives, these initiatives lost momentum. However, I still believe that if we come together with a common purpose, we can accomplish great things for our community.