Michelle hails from Denver, Colorado, but at the age of 7, her family relocated to the rural town of Verbena, Alabama in the late 1970s. There, Michelle faced the harsh realities of bullying fueled by racial prejudice from a young age. Known for her fierce spirit, she confronted her aggressors through physical altercations, which ultimately led to several suspensions from school. During one of these suspensions, her father presented her with a critical choice: “Prison or Art.” He urged her to channel her energy into creativity. 

 

 At just 13, Michelle tapped into her entrepreneurial instincts by launching a hand-painted T-shirt business. After completing high school, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she pursued her passion for design at the Art Institute of Atlanta, focusing on Graphic Design and Visual Communications. For nearly 35 years, Michelle has dedicated herself to mentoring marginalized and underserved students using the power of art, history, and candid discussions. She has developed and branded art diversion programs implemented in juvenile detention centers in both Atlanta and Montgomery, Alabama. Her artwork has been showcased in galleries nationwide, including the prestigious Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery. 

 

Currently, Michelle serves as the founder and director of the I AM MORE THAN... Youth Empowerment Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. and  she is the artist and creator of Mothers of Gynecology Monument in Montgomery, Alabama.  She also leads More Than Tours and The More Uo Campus a social enterprise that offers educational tours to nearly 10,000 underserved students in marginalized communities. Michelle’s mission is clear: “Changing maternal health care narratives exposing systemic racism using art, history and courageous conversations.”