Story by Joseph Corrazini, vice president for government and community affairs at Clark University
WBJ asked 400+ of the most powerful people in Central Massachusetts who they believe are the most influential professional in the region. On top of the list of the top 15 votegetters, we asked those powerful people to write stories about one person they voted for.
Power has always only been as powerful as those who acquiesce to it. Influence on the other hand is a skill I find to be far more superior in commanding both respect and admiration. I can think of no greater example in Worcester than Michaelangelo Mangual. Michaelangelo is an eastside kid. Growing up on the eastside means you understand struggle, hard work, disappointment, persistence, adversity, and hustle all before middle school. We met not too long after he had finished high school. I’ve watched him go from dreaming to owning his own shop. Today he owns two businesses, Michaelangelo’s Barbershop & Nails located in the Canal District and Que Rico Quirico’s, a Puerto Rican styled café in the Midtown Mall.
Mikey is grounded in the fundamental belief that success is not an individualistic path but a collective one. His business is rooted in family, opportunity, mentorship, and unapologetic truth. While the diversity of his clientele may range, his authenticity never wavers. He speaks truth to power and to the youth he mentors.
Story by Joseph Corrazini, vice president for government and community affairs at Clark University
