We recently connected with Michael McConnell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The Rebel Camp’s mission is to help foster a new style of representation for start-up owners and provide out-of-the-box creative ideas for established brands. We provide Creative Concepts, Build Community, Develop Go-To-Market Strategies, Video Production, and more. The best part of our work is that we journey with our clients through thick and thin. My passion is in MAKING it HAPPEN for my clients and businesses that I have ownership in.

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a lifelong creative who grew up in South Jamaica, Queens during the Crack Era ’80s. My environment was rough but it shaped me into the man that I am today. It made me resilient, and I leaned on my creativity as a way to heal during a period when it was dangerous just to go outside. I am a father of three beautiful children and own a brand consulting agency called The Rebel Camp. I think my eccentric life led me to want to start my own agency. I have done everything from producing fundraising galas for 300 dignitaries in Panama, interning for Diddy to interviewing Lady gaga in the back of a nightclub. I absolutely love and adore culture and it is the main driving force behind everything I do. I feel culture is a way for us to accept, love and support one another.

In regards to my career, I have done everything from launching online TV networks, Mobile Fundraising Platforms that have raised millions, and Multi-city tours for billion-dollar brands. I am an award-winning brand and marketing professional who started from very humble beginnings. It all started from being curious about the entertainment industry. I went from running an online TV network documenting notable celebrities at the very beginning of street-wear culture. I am naturally a hard-working person with an absolute passion for building companies and consulting for brands. I just truly love the process and all the moving parts

I feel the reason my agency is unique is that we focus on building a community around our client’s projects. I’m not talking about “Followers”, but getting the support from industry leaders who can help elevate your business profile, and position and eventually increase revenue.

I’m honestly proud of all the work I’ve done so it’s hard to pick a favorite. I must say my recent work is absolutely exciting because I have invested a lot in these projects. For the last year and a half, I’ve been honored to help build a Web3 company called EquityCoin, which is the first token on the blockchain to be backed by affordable housing. This project is giving an opportunity for people to own fractionalized pieces of real estate and build generational wealth. We also have our very own proprietary software called EquityShare that will allow people to trade, buy and sell real estate. This will be a game changer and we’ve already garnered tons of press and been asked to speak at some pretty huge conferences. I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing team and support our CEO’s vision.

The next project is something special because I have deep roots in the beverage industry. I was approached to help launch Uncle Waithley’s Beverage Company. The roots are Caribbean which is awesome because my grandparents are west Indian. My good friend and restauranter Karl Franz Williams approached me last year and it’s been nothing but a fantastic experience. We’re in several Wholefoods and over 50+ locations in only 10 Months which is crazy to me.

I also represent a black-owned mental health agency called Crashbell and we service corporate, government, and some private sectors. The topic of mental health is very special to me and being able to help people is very purposeful work. I have a ton of other projects kicking off for 2023 that are going to be absolutely game-changing. I am growing my team as we speak and have an office in Georgia. I work between NYC,ATL and Miami at the moment.

My social impact passions are mental health advocacy, fair housing, and anti-bullying. My personal passions are motorcycles, deejaying, and writing. I am releasing a sci-fi novel through my agency soon and that literally was a personal challenge. I met someone years ago and he said to make sure you have a creative passion that doesn’t have anything to do with your main business. I never forgot that and it’s a truly therapeutic exercise and something I love to do.

I feel like a renaissance man who is constantly evolving and has a very empathetic but assertive approach to my work. I turn down a lot of projects because they’re not always aligned with my values. My agency is growing and luckily I have a great team that I can rely on. My most proud moment is seeing my 19-year-old son Elijah off to college in 2021. I want my children to be limitless and shoot for the stars.

The Rebel Camp is a place for brand owners looking for a special forces team.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I will say being a full-time creative can feel like a gift and a curse sometimes because we see things differently than everyone. We’re having two completely different experiences and our child-like spirits don’t always align with society’s rigid standards of what success means. Honestly, a true creative will never trade in their crayon box in order to fit in. I’d say to a non-creative person try opening your mind and don’t be so quick to judge. The creative class is constantly working to make this world a more colorful, stress-free, and fun place. This is not to take away from anyone but we’re more likely to be judged,, misunderstood and mocked.

I also feel like we’re all creatives, but full-time creatives who rely on support for a living go through a very different experience. The best thing you can do is invest in creatives and not be so quick to judge their journeys. There is a quote by Albert Einstein that says ​​”Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There are several things that play into driving my creative journey. I am absolutely in love with learning about different cultures but the stuff that isn’t always “sexy” on Instagram or easily digestible is awesome to me. I’m into sub-culture, history, tech, art, expression, and most importantly sound. I’m a former NYC downtown kid who used to hop between art parties and music-related events before the mass adoption of social media.

It’s hard for me to keep up with political news-related events because I just don’t care. I feel like it’s all designed to keep you living below your magic and greatness. We’re becoming less empathetic as the days go by and it’s ultimately not helping us at all.

In 2021, I moved my children and business to the deep countryside in Georgia. It was the best decision because I’ve been able to harness my creativity in ways I’ve never imagined.

The one thing I’d say is driving me is Redemption. I know this sounds dramatic but as a Black Man in America you’re held to a different standard and that doesn’t include forgiveness, understanding, empathy, or love. I had to become the walking and living embodiment of love in order to reclaim my legacy. No one person or event can shake my faith in GOD and my love for my family. I’ve made it so that I can only hear my creator’s voice when it comes to making decisions creatively.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.therebelcamp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therebelcamp/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbrianmcconnell/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/therebelcamp

Image Credits
Please credit “Joe Suba of Suba Media”