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Michael Capponi
Michael Capponi
Born
Michael Jean Francois Capponi

(1972-04-05) April 5, 1972 (age 52)
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPhilanthropy, Nightlife, Real Estate Development
Websiteglobalempowermentmission.org/team/michael-capponi/

Michael Jean Francois Capponi (born April 5, 1972) is an American businessman, humanitarian, and philanthropist.[1][2][3][4] Initially recognized for his role in developing Miami Beach's nightlife, Capponi is now widely recognized for his humanitarian efforts through his foundation, Global Empowerment Mission.[5][6]

Early life

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Capponi was born in Belgium; he moved to Miami with his parents when he was six,[7] and grew up on Key Biscayne. His parents divorced.[7] He began working as a promoter for nightclubs when he was 15, organizing events and posting flyers, and while still in high school made $10,000 per month.[7] As a teen, Capponi also was a competitive BMX rider, winning a state championship and appearing in ads for Coca-Cola and Twix [8]

Career

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Ten Museum Park in Miami
Ten Museum Park, Miami

In the 1980s, he promoted roving parties that attracted the attendance of rich locals and celebrities. He is considered one of the most successful nightlight pioneers in Miami.[9] Capponi also worked as a developer alongside Gregg Covin. Together, they used the parties to promote real estate projects in the area to celebrities and wealthy investors.[10] Capponi's contributions to South Beach's development continued into the 1990s.[11] With Covin, Armin Mattli, and Chad Oppenheim, Capponi in 2004 became one of the co-developers of Ten Museum Park, a 50-story, 200-unit building in downtown.[12]

In 2010, he formed Capponi Construction Group. His firm was responsible for the renovation of Terra Veritatis, a 16-bedroom estate spanning 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) of Miami Beach completed in 2013.[13] The Wall Street Journal called the $40 million project "the most expensive renovation in the Miami area."[14] Capponi and Gary Shear formed another company in 2013, Capponi Shear Construction, a general contracting firm.[15]

In 2014, Capponi joined the development team with Moses Bensusan of Costa Hollywood, an urban beachfront development, by architect Hamed Rodriguez.[16] The 500,000-square-foot resort consists of 307 fully furnished apartments.[17]

Now, Capponi has retired from the private sector and is fully committed to running his foundation, Global Empowerment Mission.[18]

Humanitarian work

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Capponi at his tent city in Belvil, Pétion-Ville, Haiti, in March 2010
Capponi at his tent city in Belvil, Pétion-Ville, Haiti – March 2010

Capponi began his transformation into humanitarian work and disaster relief aid in 1999 during the war in Kosovo by organizing nightclubs to contribute proceeds to the Red Cross.[19] When Hurricane Charley hit Florida in August 2004, Capponi teamed up with the American Red Cross and organized relief efforts for the victims. He worked with local nightlife venues to raise money and provide support.[citation needed] The partnership continued in December 2004, with a fundraiser for the Thailand tsunami victims.[20]

In 2006, Capponi teamed up with Miami Rescue Mission to fortify and expand its annual Great Thanksgiving Day Banquet, which feeds over 2,500 homeless people in Miami. In 2012, Capponi announced the construction of a 78-bed men's shelter for Miami Rescue Mission.[21]

After the January 12, 2010 Haiti earthquake, Capponi organized a plane with a relief team consisting of Miami Beach firefighters and doctors.[22] In December 2010, Capponi started a project to revitalize Jacmel, a historical town in Haiti.[23][24] This initiative was to help stimulate a self-sustained tourism economy for Haiti.[24] In 2011, he founded the non-profit organization Haiti Empowerment Mission.[25] His work focused on sustainable development by rebuilding homes, schools and communities, reducing the sustainability cycle.[6] In 2016, the foundation changed its name to Global Empowerment Mission to reflect its international outreach.[26][better source needed] Capponi serves as the Founder and President, dedicating himself to being on the ground and overseeing disaster relief efforts.[27] His work is focused on immediately responding to all phases of global disasters and providing disaster relief. From his home base in Miami, Florida, Capponi works to organize shipments and logistics, bridge the gap between first response and infrastructure rebuilding and create sustainable development through Global Empowerment Mission.[10][11] As of 2022, Capponi has returned to Haiti nearly 100 times.[28]

Capponi has held events for various charities. In 2012, Donna Karan hosted Capponi's 40th birthday benefit at Capitale for the Haitian city of Jacmel.[29] On October 5, 2016, the day after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, Capponi and the Global Empowerment Mission team were on the ground delivering aid and supplies.[5]

In response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, Capponi partnered with Bethenny Frankel, Will Smith and other celebrities to provide logistical aid in Puerto Rico to people affected by the hurricane. Global Empowerment Mission organized warehouse storage space, chartered flights, and transportation for food and material aid donated from elsewhere in the United States.[6]

In 2017, Global Empowerment Mission became the official partner of Bethenny Frankel’s bstrong initiative.[12] They have sent over $34 million in supplies to disaster relief missions around the globe including the United States, Caribbean Islands, South America and Australia.[13]

Capponi has led disaster relief efforts for:

As of 2022, Capponi’s non-profit organization, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), has grown to become a $139 million dollar organization [51] His organization has participated in over 355 disaster relief missions in 57 countries and all 50 states.[52]

Personal life

[edit]

By the 1990s, Capponi had developed an $800-per-day heroin habit.[53] By 1995, he was homeless in New York City.[7] At his father's suggestion, Capponi entered a methadone program in Belgium; he fell into a coma soon after starting, and had to undergo surgery to remove a benign brain tumour. He then went through a detox program in Canada, before returning to Miami Beach.[7] In the 1990s, he was close friends with Chris Paciello, with whom he owned music production company C&P Music.[54] He credits Paciello with getting him off heroin by sending him to a detox center.[1][54]

On March 20, 2015, he was at the helm of his 25-foot Chris-Craft Corsair motorboat when he fainted, he reported;[55][56] The boat slammed head-on into a seawall.[55][57] The accident seriously injured Capponi and a female passenger.[55][56][57] Capponi suffered a broken nose, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone; his passenger suffered serious head injuries, was in a coma for three weeks, and lost much of her short-term memory.[56][57] The final report of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on the accident stated that "neither victim was cited and that no alcohol or drugs were found in the couple's systems, aside from the medication given to them at the hospital.[58] Capponi's insurer claimed that he had failed to advise them of being convicted on a DUI charge in 2003 and hence had benefited from a lower premium. The insurer's case that they were not liable for damages was dismissed.[55]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kolker, Robert; Brown, Ethan (April 17, 2000). "Unmade man". New York Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  2. ^ La Ferla, Ruth (February 13, 2009). "Miami Beach feels the heat". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  3. ^ Gavin, Lera (May 23, 2013). "Thomas Kramer's South Beach Story Ends With $200 Million Court Judgment". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Giving Back with Michael Capponi of Global Empowerment Movement". citylifestyle.com.
  5. ^ a b "Haiti's Post Hurricane Relief Effort Underway". Univision News. October 9, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c DePillis, Lydia (October 23, 2017). "Relief groups hit major hurdles getting aid to Puerto Rico". CNNMoney. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e Adams, David (June 12, 2011). "Tale of a Key Rat: The Michael Capponi story". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  8. ^ David, Adams. "Tale of a Key Rat: The Michael Capponi story". Miami Herald.
  9. ^ "Michael Capponi Changing the World One Cause at a Time with Global Empowerment Mission – Times Square Chronicles". Times Square Chronicles - The beat of Times Square. February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Brown, Peter Hendee (April 7, 2015). How Real Estate Developers Think: Design, Profits, and Community. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780812291261.
  11. ^ a b Gaines, Steven (2009). Fool's Paradise. New York: Crown Publishers. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-307-34627-8.
  12. ^ a b "Best Career Move Miami 2004 - Michael Capponi". Miami New Times. May 13, 2004. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Bill Dean Unveils 'Terra Veritatis' Estate; New Property Most Expensive Miami Beach Revitalization In History - Revamp™". Revamp.com. March 4, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  14. ^ Campo, Arian (February 28, 2013). "The $40 Million Party Pad". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  15. ^ Powers, Jacquelynn D. (March 10, 2014). "JDP in Miami: Michael Capponi Teams Up With Gary Shear For Capponi Shear Construction". Jdpinmiami.blogspot.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  16. ^ "Costa Hollywood Condo Resort | Jamie Foxx | Soho Beach House". Therealdeal.com. January 3, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  17. ^ Karantzavelou, Vicky (October 18, 2018). "Costa Hollywood Beach Resort to debut October 19". Travel Daily News. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  18. ^ "Michael Capponi on Standing by Ukraine, Cooperation Experience With Ukrainian Farmers and Lessons of War". Latifundist.com. May 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Iannelli, Jerry (November 15, 2016). "Michael Capponi Went From SoBe Party Promoter to Haiti's Guardian Angel". Miami New Times. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  20. ^ Almeida-Shore, Mary Jo (February 19, 2010). "Michael Capponi: A man of action". Miami Socialholic. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  21. ^ Fakhourie, Shahini (November 12, 2012). "Haute 100 Miami Update: Michael Capponi Announces Partnership with Miami Rescue Mission". Haute Living. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  22. ^ "Project Medishare at Michael Capponi's". Plumtv.com. February 12, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  23. ^ Fagenson, Zachary (June 30, 2011). "Haiti's President huddles privately with developers in Miami". Miami Today. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  24. ^ a b Adams, David (June 2011). "The Pied Piper of Jacmel". Poder Magazine. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  25. ^ Iannelli, Jerry (October 7, 2016). "Miami Humanitarian Documents Horrific Hurricane Damage in Haiti". Miami Today. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Global Empowerment Mission". Global Empowerment Mission. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  27. ^ "Michael Capponi Founder/ Executive Director". Global Empowerment Mission. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Havas, House. "How Michael Capponi became the unlikely face of global altruism". issuu.
  29. ^ Wieczner, Jen (May 6, 2012). "A Birthday Benefit for Haiti". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  30. ^ "In pictures: Haiti's post-hurricane Matthew relief effort underway - Univision News". Univision. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  31. ^ Wisner, Matthew (December 1, 2017). "Bethenny Frankel on Puerto Rico relief efforts: Somebody dropped the ball". Fox Business. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  32. ^ Florida, NBC 6 South (September 29, 2019). "South Florida Group Donating Half a Million Pounds of Relief to Bahamas Each Week". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved February 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ "'What I'm Walking Into I Have No Idea': Local Firefighter On Helping In Guatemala Volcano Aftermath". CBS4 WFOR. June 6, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  34. ^ "Contractors Shopping Spree". KHSL News. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  35. ^ Tavener, Stuart (March 5, 2020). "Bstong and the Global Empowerment Mission have added $70,000 to the relief effort". The KI Islander. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  36. ^ Barylski, Nicole (May 7, 2020). "Bethenny Frankel's BStrong And Global Empowerment Mission Donate PPE To Southampon, Greenport, And Stony Brook-Based Hospitals". Hamptons.com.
  37. ^ a b "Global Empowerment Mission Gala". markets.businessinsider.com.
  38. ^ Matthey, Ryan (August 15, 2021). "$250,000 supply giveaway helps Dixie Fire evacuees a month after starting". KRCR.
  39. ^ "U.N. Seeking $190 Million For Haiti Earthquake Relief. Aid Groups Urge Using It More Wisely Than 2010". WUSF. August 29, 2021.
  40. ^ "Climate change hits the poor hardest. Mozambique's cyclones prove it".
  41. ^ Nicole, Barylski. "Bethenny Frankel's BStrong And Global Empowerment Mission Donate PPE To Southampon, Greenport, And Stony Brook-Based Hospitals".
  42. ^ Settembre, Jeanette (February 19, 2021). "Bethenny Frankel brings emergency aid to Texas amid deadly winter storm". FOXBusiness.
  43. ^ Spencer, Terry (July 30, 2021). "Global Empowerment Mission Provides Housing Assistance for Surfside Victims". Insurance Journal.
  44. ^ "Aerial Recovery In Partnership With Global Empowerment Mission Have Deployed To Help The Millions Affected By The Unprecedented Flooding In Pakistan". Yahoo Finance. September 12, 2022.
  45. ^ Vallejo • •, Jessica (February 14, 2023). "'We Urgently Need Help': Doral Nonprofit Distributes Millions in Aid for Earthquake-Stricken Turkey". NBC 6 South Florida.
  46. ^ Taylor, Alan. "Photos: Flood Damage After the Destruction of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam - The Atlantic". www.theatlantic.com.
  47. ^ "Global Empowerment Mission offers help for Israel". NBC 6 South Florida.
  48. ^ "Global Empowerment Mission Successfully Delivers Humanitarian Aid to North Gaza Signaling Resilience Amidst Conflict". AP News. May 1, 2024.
  49. ^ Inc, Goya Foods. "GOYA FOODS SENDS FOOD TO THE PEOPLE OF ACAPULCO, MEXICO". www.prnewswire.com. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  50. ^ Shade, Martha (February 29, 2024). "How to help Texas wildfire victims". CNN.
  51. ^ "Charity Navigator". www.charitynavigator.org.
  52. ^ "Global Empowerment Mission in Maui rebuilds the community with swift recovery efforts". ABC7 Chicago. March 11, 2024.
  53. ^ Ianelli, Jerry (November 15, 2016). "Michael Capponi Is Haiti's Guardian Angel". Miami New Times. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  54. ^ a b McPhee, Michele R. (June 29, 2010). A Mob Story. Macmillan. p. 135. ISBN 9781429988568.
  55. ^ a b c d Lambiet, Jose (October 12, 2018). "Michael Capponi, insurer settle lawsuit over boat crash". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  56. ^ a b c Rabin, Charles; Cohen, Howard; Devaney, Kathleen (March 23, 2015). "Nightclub promoter Michael Capponi in serious boating accident with his girlfriend". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  57. ^ a b c Jose, Lambiet (November 22, 2016). "Michael Capponi pieces together life without his pre-boat crash love". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  58. ^ Batchelor, Amanda (August 19, 2015). "Miami Beach nightlife mogul passed out before boat crash, report says". Local10 ABC News. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
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