Michael Askew is currently serving as the Director of The Center for African American Recovery Development, Michael is tasked to build recovery communities in marginalized communities of color. In his previous role he was Director of Advocacy for Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) since July 2017. Michael was the Manager of the Bridgeport Recovery Community Center (BRCC) since its inception in 2006. Michel has gained recognition as an experienced recovery advocate with 26 years in raising public awareness, supporting system and individual recovery processes, and building recovery capital locally, state and federally.
In recovery since May 28 1989, Michael has helped many people get into recovery, maintain and sustain their recovery. He believes his position with CCAR has been an opportunity to “give back what was so freely given to him.”
Michael served on the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services State Advisory Board from 2000 – 2007 supporting the early structuring of their Recovery Oriented System of Care. In 2000 he received the Black History Month “Unsung Heroes” from The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SAMHSA, the 2012 Mary Freeman Award from the African American Historical Society of Fairfield County, and the 2014 Urdang-Torres Community Impact Award from the Bridgeport ReEntry Collaborative. In 2017, Faces and Voices honored Michael with the Vernon Johnson Award. He recently was inducted into the 2020 CT Hall of Change as one of the “Great 8” recipients being recognized and memorialize as a former incarcerated person that made substantial contributions to Connecticut over the years.
He currently is a Committee member for Black Faces Black Voices, through Faces and Voices of Recovery, Washington, DC.
Michael understands from firsthand experience, the plight of the incarcerated having spent some time in prison because of his addiction. Michael wants to see more treatment and recovery options instead of prison sentencing for persons with addictions. “I am continually fueled to find ways to share purpose beyond pain when issues of criminalization, reproductive injustice, and barriers prevent people from seeking treatment, staying in care and living the abundantly full life they deserve still exist.”