Caribbean Carnival celebrations bring many things to mind: great music, gorgeous costumes, good times, beautiful people. Well, one of those beautiful people is 36-year-old entrepreneur Michael Neville, also known as J’ouvert Mike.
J’ouvert (pronounced JOO-vay or ZHOO-vay) is the official start of the Carnival celebration, so if it’s part of your nickname, you must be the embodiment of the party! “Soca gives me endless power,” says Mike. “It’s the source of my infectious energy and stamina.” J’ouvert Mike attended his first Carnival celebration as a teenager and has since attended them wherever they’re held—from the Caribbean to the U.S. to Canada.
Mike was partly raised in Anguilla and speaks with a lilting Caribbean accent, so it might come as a surprise to some that he’s an American-born white guy. “There have been many misconceptions about who I am and why I do what I do. But I don’t allow myself to listen to the opinions of others who know nothing about me. You can’t control negative people and you can’t feed into their negative energy,” says Mike. “I just celebrate life in the most euphoric and beautiful way I know—through Carnival. I spread awareness of the beauty and history of Caribbean culture to a broader audience.”
J’ouvert Mike is a study in branding and is well known in many communities. How does someone like him break through the static and make an impact, despite what might be perceived as huge odds? “Be authentic. And seek first to understand others.”
“For me it’s about highlighting my friends and supporting their businesses—many of whom are doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and educators—and thereby breaking down the stereotypes,” he explains. “Demonstrating that we may be of different races, yet we embrace the same culture and values.”
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On his impact in the community:
“We can have fun celebrating life while elevating and supporting those around
us. I am launching a website—J’ouvertMike.com—and one of my next goals is to hit 50 Carnivals in five years, while building a platform to highlight a local philanthropic organization in each [Carnival] location that people can support with their time, energy or money. The community philanthropic highlight will be titled “Carnival Cares.”On being a BE Modern Man:
It’s about being the best me I can be. Serving as a role model, inspiring others, celebrating life and using all of the gifts bestowed upon me to help those around me live their best lives. It’s all a positive ripple effect.
On being crowned a BE Modern Man Carnival King:
“It’s humbling to receive this recognition and demonstrates that out of many we are one. Carnival is celebration of life and Caribbean culture and spreads euphoric vibes—love, laughter, music, and beauty. I just attempt to do my part in embodying those values.”
Come celebrate Caribbean culture with Black Enterprise and Queen of Soca Alison Hinds during the Black Enterprise Golf & Tennis Challenge, September 3-6, 2015 at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Use code BEMM to get $150 off all conference packages!*
* Spa package not included