Meet Michael Dozier | Founder & Principal Nonprofit Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Dozier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be able to provide a resource for clients who were looking to set up a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and to assist with providing coaching assistance in developing the infrastructure of that nonprofit which will allow clients to not only start it but have a strategy moving forward to successfully sustained it for the long term.

What should our readers know about your business?
Carrington, Holland & Leigh mission is to empower nonprofits and give business the opportunity to succeed. Our vision is to be recognized as the premier comprehensive nonprofit consulting firm for nonprofit and business clients. We provide comprehensive services in 501 (c)(3) nonprofit formation, strategic planning, compliance audits, grant writing and fund development, board governance assistance, policies and procedures development, business formation startup, business planning and development and one on one coaching assistance.

What sets us apart is that we not only help create your nonprofit or business but provide hands on assistance to hold your hand and give you the roadmap to be successful.

What prepared me for this journey was my past career as a former State Director of The Learn & Serve Americorps Program with the Mississippi Department of Education which provided grants and funding for school districts and community-based organizations in the State of Mississippi. After that I was recruited to work with a national prevention organization called DREAM, Inc. which provided evidence-based alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs (CAPT) in twelve states and the US. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. After, that I founded my own nonprofit organization which provided alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention, mentoring, pregnancy prevention, and technology education assistance to those who was computer illiterate. I also served as Executive Director to a community action agency that had a budget of 18 million and a staff of 300 people.

I can honestly say that I had my share of growing pains along the way but those growing pains gave me the tools to help the clients I now serve in this area. Some of the lessons learned along the way includes making sure that all your employees are paid first before you, be willing to hire and recruit people who are smarter than you, be willing to allow people the opportunity to grow and create a work environment that will make it hard for your employees to want to leave.

I would like the world to know that when you hire me and my firm, you will get a person who is committed to keeping up with the latest nonprofit and business trends. I make every effort to stay on top by ensuring that I take time out to continue to receive professional development training to ensure my clients have the best of me.

My brand is to be recognized as “The Nonprofit Guy”. Providing resources and services that will allow those in the nonprofit and business sector to be successfully in achieving their goals and mission.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since we are talking about the Deep South , eating would be a top probity. The first place I would take someone would be Red 8 Kitchen which is a traditional Asian restaurant in a contemporary setting. This is one of my favorite places to dine and relax. After that, I would let them enjoy the Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland, MS. They would be expose to some of the best fashion, retail shops and restaurants in the Metro Jackson area. Another place we would visit would have to be the Beau Rivage on the Gulf Coast. There will be plenty of entertainment, fine dining, wonderful nightlife and a fabulous beach to enjoy walking in the sand.

Another must see would be to explore the rich history of Mississippi. It’s where the Civil War, civil rights, architecture and the arts intersects. Some interesting sites would include the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum which is a must see, the Vicksburg National Military Park, Medgar Evers Home Museum, Neshoba County Historic Sites, Mississippi Freedom Trail, Canton Freedom House Civil Rights Museum, Tougaloo College and the Farish Street Historic District which includes the Smith Robertson Museum, The Urban Sip, Big Apple Inn and Frank Jones Corner and the Fondren District which has entertainment spaces, art galleries, shopping at local stores and awesome restaurants.

I would also take my visitor to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi State Capitol, Old Capitol Museum and LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. There are many sites and things to do in Mississippi which would leave a lasting impression.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For me, I would say my late mother. She always gave me the encouragement and support to always strive to be successful. Without her teachings and encouragement, I would not have the passion to help others through nonprofit and business consulting. Growing up, she taught me along with my siblings, the importance of living life fully but also the importance of giving back and the willingness to help others along the way. She would always say you have to have a grateful heart in everything you do and you will receive many blessings. Without her influence, my story would be totally different. She was my champion and number one advocate.

Website: www.chlnonprofits.com

Instagram: michaeldozier1

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldozier