We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Michelle Gill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Michelle , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
As far as I can remember being a little girl and seeing my mom in the military fixing helicopters as an electrician and a woman at that, I was inspired to become her, I don’t think I’ve ever said this to her but when she reads this she will see it and know that she’s been my inspiration my entire life. She is an honest person filled with genuineness and courage so I would say that my work ethic comes from her. She recently retired and I don’t remember a time of her not being at work, unless she was traveling the world and or extremely sick. This is what I’ve learned over the years and I am grateful to her for her leadership throughout my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
MichelleG was born Michelle Gill in Georgetown, Guyana, living in Antigua for about 6 years before migrating at the age of 8 and growing up in the United States. Since then she has gone on to cover outdoor media events, artist release parties and become an all-around media personality. She obtained a doctoral degree which is a PhD in Human Services, practicing in the field of academia and teaching at three different US universities in the Social Work Departments. MichelleG is also a Child Abuse Investigator with the government while running her own non-profit organization that hosts an annual Back-To-School Drive which provides educational resources to under-privileged families. She has donated to Jamaica and Guyana as well.
During the 2020 pandemic, MichelleG started Get With The Fix (GWTF) Radio based on the needs of our Caribbean community and because she wanted her own platform to do that, to be in control of her voice, to inform the world about what’s happening while showcasing music in her own way and to give upcoming DJs the opportunity to have a station to call home. Today, MichelleG is the CEO of GWTF Digital Caribbean Radio Station which manages around 25 DJs and personalities who reside in Jamaica and the US.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back the three most important areas of knowledge I’ve attainted along my journey, include Integrity, Giving Back and Being Kind. I believe that honesty is something that can make people believe that when you speak, you are telling the truth, giving back has been my ultimate life goal since 2011 and even through the struggles of being doubted, I know that god has anointed me to be his servant, oh gosh “being kind” is the ultimate part of life because you never know when it’ll be your turn to need kindness.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my mother did for me was in 2021, my bank account was empty and the tears are flowing as I write this, I had no idea of where I was getting the money to finish my doctoral degree no one knew that this was my struggle and I went to my mother and said “I’ve used up all of my money and without me paying the editor I’m not going to finish, she immediately said “look in your account” I was able to pay my editor and graduate. Thank you Mom.
My dad who lives in Jamaica, as a young girl I use to write him letters and he would cross out my mistakes in red ink and send them back to me to correct, I think he is the reason I write so well. Also, during my doctoral journey he has been the driving force of encouragement even a whole other country away, he read my dissertation and helped me with corrections as well.
I have two amazing people that god put in my life and everyday I am extremely grateful for them both.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellesfoundation.org
- Instagram: michelleg39 and michellesfoundation and wednesdayfix2
- Youtube: GET WITH THE FIX
- Other: https://www.getwiththefix.net
Image Credits
Elliproductions for the professional photo
the other photo, I took myself
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
