By David Jackson
When Asot Michael was born in December 1969, he had no idea just how deeply ingrained political activism would influence his life. He was born in Guadalupe, French West Indies to a family that was already heavily active on the political front. His grandfather, for whom he was named after, dealt with anti-government factions who burned down his house and probably caused his death. His father, Patrick, supported the Antigua & Barbuda Labor Party (ABLP) in the 1970s when the party was not very well very received, sacrificing his own business to ensure its survival.
And even before Asot Michael’s grandfather and father became known for their political activity, his grandfather and great uncles, Mitchell, and Maurice helped the island nations transform socially and economically. Their philanthropic works helped the socio-political arena of the country, and they got things done. To say Asot Michael was born into an influential socio-political family is an understatement.
Schooling
Education is important to Asot Michael. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy in St. John’s, Antigua, graduating with his high school diploma before going on to Barry University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Business Administration, carrying a double major in Economics and Finance. He received his MBA from the University of Miami Graduate School of Business, earning many scholastic achievement awards and honours along the way.
“Antigua and Barbuda must keep up with the rest of the world when it comes to education,” said Michael. “A knowledge-based economy is important to Caribbean nations so that we can offer services in tourism, IT, banking, and more.” With his help, the ABLP opened the door to education to the residents of these island nations and help quadruple scholarships over disciplines and expand secondary schools to accommodate more students.
Schools are so important to Asot Michael that he is raising money to rehabilitate two schools that have been overlooked by successive governments over the past 15 years. Preparations to upgrade the Pares Primary School and Parham Primary School in his constituency of St. Peters have already begun. The two schools have failing structures, inadequate conditions for the students, are unsightly and unsafe.
“The rehabilitation of these two schools will include shoring up and making the schools safe for students, painting them and installing new handwashing sinks and hand sanitizing stations,” said Michael. “There will also be a new security station installed at Pares Primary School to ensure the safety of our students.” In addition to the promise of rehabilitation, Michael handed out 221 “Back to School” packages to students, providing them with items that were needed immediately, including face masks and hand sanitizers. The packs also included school supplies.
Career
Asot Michael has proven himself to be a savvy politician with his ear to the people. His political career has been filled with challenges even as he has helped forward the vision of the ABLP. He won a highly contested seat in the House of Representatives, to which many critics and colleagues wondered why he, a wealthy “white man,” would aspire to a political career in Antigua and Barbuda. As the descendant of Lebanese immigrants, Michael felt a need to represent the “nonblack” communities that are part of Antigua and Barbuda. His strong sense of duty came from the way he was brought up, as a member of the community that showed kindness to their fellow man and philanthropy to the church, schools, and society as a whole.
He has made a name for himself as a renowned socio-political leader in Antigua and Barbuda. He has made it his mission to better the lives of his countrymen and neighbours, using his experience to implement systemic change in his constituency as well as support the interests of others. He is a driving force behind the government, focusing on the infrastructure, business growth, and social justice changes that need to happen to help these island nations continue to prosper and grow.
Asot Michael, a Leader In Change
“Investing in our community is about investing and committing to the people that live there. By bolstering the public infrastructure, beyond just physically renovating an area, we show the residents that we care about the conditions they live in. We show them that we want to see them grow financially, see that they are safe and happy,” Michael states. “It goes beyond a single action. It helps foster trust, confidence, and a positive working relationship with the government.
Asot Michael understands that reinvesting funds to the public service projects helps make a community stronger. It helps foster interest in the community and makes it appealing to people thinking about living there. Better services and amenities, continued development of the area and better spending power makes an area more appealing and promotes job growth. “It’s a continuous cycle,” Michael says. “One that we must encourage so that the long-term effects are felt long after the rehabilitation project is done.”
He is also a champion for small businesses. “My father was a small business owner, and it is important that we support them through this current global pandemic. They are an integral part of our community and help serve the people who live there. As an entrepreneur and small business owner myself, I am in the unique position of knowing what hardships, roadblocks, and needs small business owners deal with every day. By helping these businesses maintain their livelihood and continuous service to their community, I can help Antigua and Barbuda continue to grow.”
3 responses to “Asot Michael Improves School System in Antigua and Barbuda”
As a boy, I learned how the Shouls, Michaels and Hadeeds were poor when they first arrived in Antigua and Barbuda. These people strategically allied themselves with V. C. Bird, received huge amounts of lands and other business opportunities from successive Governments in Antigua and Barbuda.
Meanwhile, poor local Antiguans were forced to fend for themselves, and, the overwhelming majority of whom, lived their lives in abject poverty. That was a huge political betrayal that all political parties and their leaders in Antigua from 1939 to 2020, except for the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM), are guilty of. When will we ever get honest and patriotic politicians who look out for their own people, and put an end to this Pappyshow?
May the Almighty God in Heaven come down and help us now!!!
The Michael family never ever bought or received a single square inch of Government lands; in fact the Maurice, Mitchell and My late grandfather Asot gave up the entire Blue Waters Estate to to the Crown for nothing in return; Maurice Michael bought and developed the entire Radio Range and Ottos and Mitchell Michael Otto’s not from Government: please do do not confuse my family with the HADEED’s who were and are land garabbers
The Michael family has been a model family in Antigua and Barbuda. I sincerely apologize to the Michael family for inadvertently mentioning your name as possibly benefitting in any way from your relationship with any Government in Antigua and Barbuda.
My intention was not to blame those families who actually benefitted, because the Governments involved did actually receive tremendous benefits in return. But, such kind of bailouts to Governments did help them to entrench themselves in power, which was bad for democracy, and ultimately were never in the best long-term interest of the masses.
Once again, the Michael family was mentioned in error. Please accept my apology.