In the two years he’s spent studying marketing communication and communication studies at Bemidji State University, Michael Bailey Jr. has channeled his time and energy into becoming one of BSU’s most visible and inspiring leaders.

Raised in Brooklyn Park by immigrant parents — his father hails from Jamaica; his mother from Liberia — football was a huge influence on his early life. After a standout high school career, he found himself on the football team at Southwest Minnesota State University for two years before joining the Beavers for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Sstanding outside Minneapolis’ Third Precinct after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Bailey realized there was much more to him than football. Reluctantly, he spoke to hundreds of peaceful protesters about racial injustice in America.

“I knew it was a situation where a lot of people needed to raise their voices,” he said. “I was so nervous, but I got the confidence to keep going when I realized the crowd was resonating with what I was saying.”

Inspired by what he saw in Minneapolis that summer, he joined BSU’s Center of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, where he promotes events and diversity initiatives as the office’s social media and marketing manager. He was also introduced to the Black Student Union, a student organization whose mission is to share Black culture, raise awareness of issues faced by the Black community and encourage multicultural awareness and advocacy. As vice president, his goal for the Black Student Union is simple.

“I want the Black Student Union to be a home — a safe haven,” he said. “I want students of color to recognize they have a space here at BSU.”

Bailey is the recruitment coordinator for BSU’s student chapter of the Communication Scholars Society and recently joined the BSU chapter of the American Marketing Association. He was also selected to be a student voice for university fundraising initiatives as the BSU Alumni & Foundation’s first-ever student board member.

How does Bailey balance all of this? He’s quick to credit the support of faculty and staff, but also by prioritizing his own well-being — which he admittedly once struggled with.

“I realized I have to carve out time for myself,” he said. “I like to paint, listen to music, read and journal. I have to make sure I have time for those things, otherwise I will not be able to move forward.”

As he sprints toward the end zone of his senior year, Bailey’s future shines bright with endless possibilities.

“I can be an advocate. I can work in business. I can speak in public. I can motivate. Why can’t I do it all?”

By Eric Sorenson