Michael holds a BA from the University of Minnesota, an EdM from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a PhD in education from McGill University.

His research focuses on Hip-Hop based education, collaboration between teaching artists and teachers, and ongoing school change. Michael is an award-winning MC, podcast producer and grant-writer as well as a qualitative researcher in user experience (UX) and education. He served as the Founding Executive Director of High School for Recording Arts Los Angeles during the 2018-19 school year.

Named one of four top changemakers in the province of Quebec in 2016 by Urbania Magazine, he is also the Director of Social Impact at the High School for Recording Arts and 4 Learning, a Course Lecturer in Critical Media, Technology and Education at McGill University, and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Policy Design.