Friendship, Jamaica · Cincinnati, Ohio
Michael A. Folkes
“If we call ourselves successful but do nothing to help others, then how successful are we really?”
Handed to his grandparents
His mother, unable to care for him, leaves him with Melbourne and Clementina Folkes in Friendship. His grandfather — a farmer — teaches him discipline, honour and faith.
Hunger
He returns to his mother and often has a slice of bread, a cup of milk and wild mangoes to eat. At school he walks away from friends at lunchtime so his stomach isn’t heard.
Catering school
He takes control, waits tables at a nearby restaurant, and learns that impeccable service earns both security and tips. A cruise line follows.
The dark years
Unemployment, two failed marriages, homelessness, living in his car, flat broke.
M.A. Folkes Co., Inc.
A business plan for third-party logistics and pallet manufacturing, taken to the global logistics manager of a Fortune 500 company. Eighteen-hour days become normal.
The Foundation
It opens at Mount Waddy Primary School — the school he attended — and carries his grandfather’s name.
Michael Folkes on Profile
Driven by Desperation — 90% of sales are donated to the Foundation.
Hosted on the Foundation’s own domain.
Official proclamations from the City of Cincinnati and two from the City of Hamilton, Ohio.
Written by Coleen Armstrong, freelance editor
Initial meetings with Michael Folkes are beyond impressive; they’re life-altering. People are instantly drawn to him as an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a CEO and a personality. They study the courteous demeanor, the crisp appearance, the astute decision-making, the savvy business sense, the concise speech and the laser-like focus — and then automatically assume that Michael was always thus, born and raised from Day One to become immensely successful.
They would be wrong. Michael’s life began in Friendship, Jamaica, in 1968, where his poverty-stricken mother, who was unable to care for him, handed him off at age four to his paternal grandparents. Michael’s grandfather Melbourne was a farmer, a loving yet strict guardian who taught the importance of discipline, honor, integrity, hard work, forgiveness and faith in God to a little boy who adored him.
By age 15 Michael returned to live with his mother, where he frequently experienced neglect and abuse. Michael recalls many days when all he had to eat was a slice of bread, a cup of milk and the mangoes that grew wild on nearby trees. At Donald Quarrie Secondary School he would often wander away from his friends at lunchtime so he wouldn’t be embarrassed by his rumbling stomach. He would then sit, staring at the ocean, weeping with hunger, praying to God and dreaming of a better life.
Michael A. Folkes
He seized control at age 18 when he enrolled in catering school, then secured a wait staff position at a nearby mansion/bar/restaurant and learned that impeccable service to customers equaled not only job security, but also terrific tips. He later joined a cruise line, where he provided the same level of over-the-top service. He eventually found his way to New York to live with a relative, but entered a dark time — unemployment, two failed marriages, homelessness which included living in his car, and being flat-broke.
How did he rally? By creating a business plan for a 3rd party logistics, pallet manufacturing/value-add Company, and approaching the global logistics manager of a well-known Fortune 500 company. After a difficult selection qualifying process, Michael was accepted, and in April 1997, the M.A. Folkes Co., Inc., became a reality. At first, eighteen-hour workdays were commonplace, but Michael was never one to plead exhaustion, let alone give up. What fueled him was the certainty of his mission and a refusal to be bogged down by bitterness.
He still loves the land which he calls “perhaps the most beautiful country in the world,” still takes care of close family members, including his mother, still treats everyone he meets with kindness and respect, and still pays tribute to the now deceased grandfather who shares the name of his Foundation. At Mount Waddy Primary School in Friendship, Jamaica, Michael is making certain that children will receive the help they need from the Foundation which understands the magic of everyone’s childhood dream.
From the Foundation’s own YouTube channel.
Speaking
The book, and where it came from
Speaking
The work Michael does under his own name feeds back into the school in Friendship.
Michael’s youth leadership work, built on the seven characteristics and run alongside the Foundation’s school programmes.
One from the City of Cincinnati and two from the City of Hamilton, Ohio, recognising his work with young people.
Four letters from teachers, parents and supporters, held with the testimonials on the Impact page.
$564 funds one child’s school year at the school Michael attended.
