By Satchel B. Jester
With a moniker like “Mr. Classic,” you’d better have some serious receipts to back it up. In the case of industrial engineer turned music entrepreneur and political fundraiser Mike Muse, the title is accurate but not self-given. It was actually bestowed upon him by one of the nation’s oldest premier Civil Rights organizations: the New York Urban League.
This past September, the NYUL hosted its 42nd annual Urban League Football Classic at the New Jersey Met Life Stadium to raise funds for its Whitney M. Young, Jr. college scholarship program. Muse, a popular national guest lecturer (TEDx, Wharton School of Business), was chosen to help market and promote the game to young professionals and to bring back some excitement to the HBCU showdown— hence the title “Mr. Classic.”
But, the mission of Muse, a Links National Trends and Service Award winner, goes well beyond the fun and hype of a sporting event.
“It’s 2014 and civil rights doesn’t have to remain within the confines of protesting and marching. It’s about hashtags, tweeting and Instagram,” says the University of Michigan graduate (and 2013 UM commencement speaker) who curated a series of events with young execs in various fields leading up to the Classic. He moderated conversations around practical ways to use their influence to move the needle for causes that are important to them.
Muse, 34, became the youngest recipient of the 100 Black Men of America Achievement Award at 32, is the youngest individual to raise $1 million for a president in a year (Obama’s reelection) and is a seasoned vet in the realm of influence.
“I am a pioneer of the intersection of politics and pop culture by hosting a radio show (“Political News With Mike Muse”on Sway in the Morning ) and owning a music label (Muse Recordings). “My goal is to influence change. Changing the life of one person can change the neighborhood, city, state, nation and ultimately our world.”
Though he’s worked on charitable initiatives for marquee names like New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and current Mayor Bill de Blasio, his newest initiative, “Civil Rights 2.0,” involves everyday people and the pop culture staples in their lives.
“Fashion, art, entertainment, music and sports are all equal pillars for change,” Muse offers. “It’s about finding your own way and promoting a message within that particular realm. It’s having fun with a purpose.” “I’m reshaping the mindset of activism,” he says.
“My race is a marathon. Knowing the finish line will come gets me up in the morning and comforts me at night.”