Michael Roman plays an important role in managing projects and creating strategies that have resulted in innovative approaches to community development projects that promote social change and healthier neighborhoods. Currently, Michael’s work with the City of Miami involves overseeing various departmental programs and initiatives. Actively working with community-based organizations, companies, boards, committees, and residents, he builds relationships that are essential to change. Michael previously managed Live Healthy Little Havana, a $3.7 million collective impact, results-based community initiative addressing health disparities and social determinants of health while empowering residents to advocate for a healthier and thriving community. Michael was born and raised in the City of Miami, and he has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Florida International University. He has worked in full-service communications agencies specializing in various aspects of public health, business development, and community engagement. Also, he has worked directly with principal executives while supporting the overall needs and goals of each organization. Michael’s experience in various markets and cross-marketing clients ensure maximum organization power and success. Michael currently lives with his partner Jeff, four dogs and kinkajou. He loves to dine out locally and travel as often as possible.

This week, we chatted with Maven alum Michael Roman. To watch Michael answer these questions, click here.

Maven: Who are you & where are you?

Michael: I am an unapologetic Puerto Rican, Italian, loud, gay man who lives in Miami and loves Miami so much. I love the work that I do. I love being a part of Maven, and my goal here on this earth right now is to evoke some type of change. That’s who I am and where I am at right now.

Maven: What do you care about, and why is it important to care about?

Michael: I care about so many things. The list goes on and on about the things that I’m passionate about and why I’m passionate about those things. In particular, right now, serving as the LGBTQ liaison for the city of Miami, everything within LGBTQ advocacy is what I’m super passionate and what I care most about right now, the LGBTQ community is my community. It is everybody’s community. And I’m so excited to be able to do my part working with organizations, working within local government to make change, to make sure that Miami is a safe place for everybody who lives here, works here, plays here. Why is that important to me? It’s important to me because I was born and raised in Miami, and when I do this work out in the community, I’m always looking at my younger self and saying, man, I wish that some of these opportunities were here. So I care about it because this is my life. This is our city, and we got to do everything we can to make sure that our community is safe.

Maven: Recall a meeting that could of been an email

Michael: So I’m sitting here and I’m trying to recall a meeting that could have been an email. And I’m like, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one. What I’m getting at is I think a lot of meetings can be emails. I think a lot of organizations have not pivoted their culture to understand virtual, to understand hybrid. I work for local government. I’m in the office every single day because I am a public servant. But I do see that there are some things that aren’t necessary for me to be present in the office. However, one of the meetings that could have been an email, and I won’t get too specific on details, is I remember going into this meeting and sitting down. The meeting started late. Those of you that know me know that I am very punctual. I do not believe in making people who are punctual wait around for folks that are late. That’s rewarding bad behavior, in my opinion. So the meeting ended up starting late. It was not my meeting. I was a participant, and the meeting was called to assign assignments to staff, and that is it. That was the entire meeting. An email could have been sent just giving people the assignments, and it kind of was a waste of time. But we got to do what we got to do sometimes. But, yeah, I think that we live in a culture where, especially after the lockdown and Covid that there are some organizations, some folks that are really pushing in person meetings and sometimes unnecessarily.

Maven: What was the last thing to make you laugh?

Michael: Laughing is extremely important, and I laugh every day. I try to make it intentional, but luckily, I have some amazing people in my life that make me laugh on a daily basis. The last person that made me laugh is my partner, Jeff. Jeff and I have such a great relationship. And, you know, we’re not only partners in life. We’re not only husbands. We’re really best of friends. We started our relationship off as friends, and he makes me laugh every single day. And I appreciate that. And I appreciate him so much.

Maven: What are you particularly good at?

Michael: I am good at follow up and follow through. I think it’s very important to keep open lines of communication with folks that you’re engaging, whether it be family, friends, loved one, coworkers, partners. It becomes really important to follow up and follow through with people. Following up could be something as simple as a text asking somebody how they are. I think that’s my strong point. I think that’s where I shine, is that human aspect of following up with people and making sure we’re all okay. In particular, if there’s one thing I learned from Maven, is that it’s important for us to put our masks on before we help other people out. And I’ve been a big advocate of that since I heard that. And sometimes following up and following through is a way of just checking in with people, sometimes resetting. So I think that that’s what I’m really good at.

Maven: Who have you learned something from that serves you well?

Michael: I have an amazing mentor named Milton Vickers. I have learned so much from Mr. Vickers. He, at one point, was my director in the City of Miami in the Department of Human Services, and he has been an advocate for equal rights for decades within local government here in Miami. He has been a beacon of knowledge, a beacon of how to be a public servant, and I have learned so much from him. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Milton, besides doing this job with grace, dignity, and respect, is actually learning how to work with folks while maneuvering through so many challenges and while working with folks, being able to identify those that are extremely talented, working with that talent, and keeping that talent if you can. Mr. Vickers is such an amazing individual. He’s such an amazing human, and I’m so glad that I have learned so much from him.

Maven: What do you do or call on when you get discouraged?

Michael: When I get discouraged, I put on my music. Whether it’s in my Airpods, whether it’s on my computer, whether it’s on speakers, on a tv, it does not matter. The interesting thing, though, is that even when I’m discouraged or I’m feeling down, I put on music. If you flip it and reverse it, when I’m happy and I’m joyous, I’m also listening to music. Music has been such an important part of my life. There really is a soundtrack to my life, and, I enjoy listening to beats and sounds and lyrics, especially when I’m discouraged.

Maven: What is your morning routine?

Michael: My morning routine is rather simple. I spend the first part of my morning on self care. I brush my teeth, I wash my face. I start working on my skin regimen, and I make sure that I am ready to conquer the day. I am an early riser, I wake up early, and I spend the early part of the morning really focusing on myself, bringing in my zen and my energy so that I can make my day as successful as possible.

Maven: Do you make wishes at 11:11?

Michael: I make wishes at 11:11. I also make wishes in all the angel numbers. 2:22, 3:33, 1:11. I also make wishes all the time. It doesn’t have to be in relation to any type of angel numbers. I am such an optimistic, wishful person and I like to put those thoughts and that energy out there.

Maven: What is your zodiac sign?

Michael: I am a Taurus. I am a true May Taurus. But I’ve also been getting into something else called human design, and I’ve learned that I’m a manifesting generator.

Maven: What do you do to restore your energy or rest?

Michael: I have a lot of things that I do to restore my energy and rest. It’s simple things from, you know, rewarding myself with spending some extra time in bed or rewarding myself with a really good dinner, drinks, and a movie. Also, being with my partner, my animals, and cuddling and just checking out and living in the moment when I do have the time. I love to travel, and I think travel is such a great reset for me. It does restore my energy. It helps bring back the passion of the work that I’m doing and allows me to take a step away from my life so that I can jump right back in when I get back. So when I do have the chance to travel, I love to travel as much as possible. I think that that’s really what restores my energy.

Maven: What are you reading?

Michael: I am just about to start a new book. It is Billy Porter’s memoir called Unprotected, and I’m extremely excited. Those who know me know that I love reading biographies and autobiographies of well-known people, and this is the next one on the list.