Fashion journalism a goal for Mitchell

By Mallory Stiles
Editor in Chief

The fashion industry is a field of expression, and, to some, that means little. To LCC student Micah Mitchell, however, expressing himself is a privilege he will never take for granted.

Mitchell, 20, is currently taking a full course load and is also a part-time program associate at LCC’s Cesar Chavez Learning Center. He is a general studies major, but said that will change soon. 

“My plan is to transfer to Michigan State University and go for communications,” he said. “If I could do anything, it would probably be fashion journalism.”

Mitchell said he can remember a period in his life in which, due to societal pressures, he felt the need to hide parts of himself. He said he has since healed, but the memory of that pain will never leave him.

“The biggest thing I have ever overcome was coming out as gay when I was 13,” he said. “They all said they were happy for me, but as time went on things started to change.”

“There were a couple of times when I wanted to end things.”

Despite his lows, Mitchell still managed to make history at Davison High School by being the first boy to ever join the dance team. He said it was that victory that started to turn things around.

“It was incredibly humbling,” he said. “I never thought I could do anything like that.”

Mitchell was born in Lansing, lived in Flint from ages 4 to 8, and then in Davison from ages 9 to 18. He said he never really felt accepted anywhere but at a certain point, he decided to not let that matter. 

“I just reached a point where I didn’t care anymore,” he said. “It wasn’t them I needed to be concerned about. I was there whether they liked it or not.”

Honorine Akono, an LCC student and a fellow employee of the Cesar Chavez Learning Center, said she enjoys working with Mitchell. She said he is a person who brightens a room and reminds her to smile.

“Micah has a big personality and a lot of energy,” Akono said, giggling. “He has brought so much fun into my life.” 

Mitchell has four brothers, he is in the middle, and he is very close to his mom. He said she is fun, smart and laid back. Although he deeply values his family, he emphasized his belief that we are ALL connected.

He describes himself as more spiritual than religious but said he did recently accept Christ. His favorite color is baby blue, he likes spring and admitted he doesn’t mind talking politics around the right people.

Mitchell lives everyday with gumption and authenticity, believing in one thing above all else:

“I am my greatest strength.”