By: Ethan & Connie Cao

Michael Platt created a company at only 14 years old! Not only that, but he is using his company for good. The boy says that his hero is Martin Luther King Jr. , “He saw a problem he wanted to fix and wasn’t hesitant about it.” Since he was young, Michael Platt has always admired Martin Luther King Jr. He has taken his hero’s lesson’s to heart.

Michael says that baking makes him feel relaxed. This boy owns and created a home-based bakery in Bowie, Maryland called Michael’s desserts. Michael donates money from every single cupcake that he sells to the homeless. “I know I like cupcakes, but also cupcakes are part of a child’s childhood so they should get them,” said Michael, noting that he always ate a whipped-icing cupcake on his own birthday.

“I always wanted to have a purpose for what I do,” he said. “It’s all about helping people – not just having a purpose for yourself, but thinking about, ‘How does this touch other things?” When Michael was young, he had to restrict his physical activities like gymnastics, tree climbing, and diving. This is what gave him the idea to start baking.

Michael says that baking makes him feel relaxed. As a teen, Michael hopes his cupcakes spread awareness of the past and inspire others to work for social equality and to honor Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr.