Media Coverage
Featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, NBC, CBS News, The Guardian, Fox News, and media outlets worldwide for humanitarian leadership through Global Empowerment Mission.
A DHL humanitarian flight carrying 40 tons of emergency supplies — food, water and medical aid — left Miami International Airport for Colombia, a day after 60 tons of donated goods flew to Cali aboard Avianca Cargo. GEM teams are on the ground across the earthquake-hit regions, working alongside the Colombian and U.S. governments to reach families left living in tents.
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Back from 18 days on the ground after two earthquakes killed nearly 5,000 people, Michael Capponi described the disaster zone in La Guaira as '10,000 Surfsides' and committed GEM to Venezuela's recovery long-term, announcing a new Latin American headquarters and an expanded relief operation running out of six warehouses.
Read MoreAfter two and a half weeks in Venezuela, Michael Capponi returned to GEM's Doral headquarters describing half a million people living in tents and on the streets, and pledged to keep aid flowing indefinitely through a newly established permanent warehouse in La Guaira.
Read MoreAn Associated Press feature on the massive grassroots relief effort based at GEM's Doral warehouses, where as many as 1,000 volunteers a day sort and pack care packages flown daily to Venezuela — a U.S.-facilitated operation that Capponi says reaches families without ever touching the Venezuelan government.
Read MoreMichael Capponi urged the Jamaican government to ensure disaster relief addresses long-term identity, stability, and economic future, detailing GEM's 18 container loads and 18 plane loads of supplies.
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GEM celebrated its 15th anniversary at its 60,000 sq ft Prologis warehouse in Doral, highlighting its history as one of the country's leading disaster relief nonprofits.
Read MoreMichael Capponi reported from Kingston, Jamaica on the desperate need for food and water as GEM shipped tons of donations from Miami to hurricane-devastated communities.
Read MoreMichael Capponi announced GEM's commitment to repair or replace up to 50,000 roofs in south-western Jamaica ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, mobilizing massive relief operations within days.
Read MoreAt the Global Empowerment Mission, a nonprofit aid organization headquartered near Miami, Shanna Ford, who is from Jamaica, is one of dozens of volunteers packing up basic supplies for survival, including food, water and tarps for protection from the elements.
Read MoreGEM mobilized 25,000 relief kits for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa devastated the island, with South Florida volunteers working around the clock at the Doral warehouse.
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Michael Capponi, founder and president of Global Empowerment Mission, discusses the most immediate concerns for Jamaica following the devastating hurricane and how individuals can provide assistance.
Read MoreOne major relief effort locally is being led by South Florida Caribbean Strong, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission and The Miami Foundation. They are urging the community to immediately donate, volunteer, and procure critical relief supplies for the recovery phase once the storm passes.
Read MoreGEM's Doral warehouse prepared to ship hundreds of boxes with food, water, and toiletries to hurricane victims, with at least 2,000 boxes packed and 3,000 more being stocked.
Read MoreGEM sought donations as it mobilized relief operations for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.
Read MoreVolunteers at GEM's Doral headquarters packed aid boxes with non-perishables, shoes, clothing, soap, and hygiene items for Caribbean islands impacted by Tropical Storm Melissa.
Read More“Having all the resources in one stop, in one location, for survivors, helps to take the confusion out of all the various resources available,” explained Danielle Dreis, executive director with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Pacific, which organized the event in collaboration with Cal OES, L.A. County and the L.A. County Economic Development Corporation.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission hosted a groundbreaking job fair at PazNaz Church in Pasadena, welcoming 2,417 fire survivor families and resulting in 500+ pledged jobs for wildfire-impacted communities.
Read MoreAt the Global Empowerment Mission warehouse in Doral, the team has been hard at work loading trucks with supplies. Each truck has 26 pallets packed with family necessity kits that include hygiene items, food and water.
Read MoreOther programs include The Small Business & Artisan Grant Program, which was actioned in response to the many business owners, artists, and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County that had their livelihoods destroyed. Specifically targeting these individuals, GEM implemented its Small Business grant program which assists those who lost their businesses with financial support to be able to restart their work, regain income, and return to their craft.
Read MoreGEM loaded trucks with water, food, and essentials for Texas Hill Country families who lost everything to flash floods, with staff on the ground within 24 hours.
Read MoreDORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - Volunteers with Global Empowerment Mission, a nonprofit organization in Doral, are sending much needed aid and other assistance to victims of the Texas flooding.
Read MoreJune 1 marked the start of hurricane season, and Miami-Dade County partnered with the Global Empowerment Mission, BStrong Foundation, and a coalition of organizations to launch a coordinated plan of action. NBC6's Laura Rodriguez reports
Read MoreMIAMI, Fla. – In order to help Floridians prepare for the hurricane season, Farm Share is partnering with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to distribute hurricane supplies at nine locations across Florida on June 7 at 9 a.m.
Read MoreAmong them: volunteers with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a Doral-based nonprofit that delivers emergency aid to communities impacted by disasters. Over the weekend, GEM volunteers spent hours loading supplies — everything from food to hygiene kits — into trucks bound for Texas.
Read MoreHer partnership with Michael Capponi from Global Empowerment Mission further enhances B Strong's effectiveness. "Michael is an excellent operator who executes my vision to perfection," she said. Frankel's commitment to transparency and accountability is unwavering. "Dignity, transparency, and clarity in charity is critical," she proclaims. "We are first to arrive, last to leave, we are lean and efficient, and simply put, no one has ever done or does what we do."
Read MoreBethenny, who has partnered with Global Empowerment Mission, said, “We will be here like we are still in Paradise, in Maui, in North Carolina, for years to come… We don’t leave after the headlines fade."
Read MoreCBS News featured BStrong's partnership with GEM providing critical supplies and raising millions for LA wildfire relief, with GEM serving as the operational partner.
Read MoreGEM launched immediate relief operations for communities devastated by the LA wildfires, securing over $20 million in commitment and establishing a centrally located warehouse within 72 hours.
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Michael Capponi and volunteers from Global Empowerment Mission are providing truck loads of support through their Florida Strong Initiative. Capponi is the founder and president of GEM. “If you were to drive a car along the coastal highways for probably 300 miles through Florida, almost every single house got water this high in there. That means everything inside is ruined. And not everybody has insurance. And this is why we have to do things like this.”, he said.
Read MoreGEM volunteers packed thousands of disaster relief kits at their Doral warehouse as Hurricane Milton approached Florida, sending truckloads of essential items worth over $1.5 million before landfall.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission's crews readied supplies at their Doral headquarters ahead of Hurricane Milton, preparing rapid-response operations for Florida communities in the storm's path.
Read MoreFrom nightclub and real estate powerhouse to humanitarian hero, Michael Capponi's personal transformation led him to launch the Global Empowerment Mission.
Read MoreGEM volunteers mobilized relief supplies for Jamaica following Hurricane Beryl's devastating impact on the island's communities and infrastructure.
Read MoreIn South Florida, volunteers with the Global Empowerment Mission packed up supplies to send much-needed relief to the islands impacted by the hurricane. The nonprofit organization sends food and aid to communities in need.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission delivered aid to Grenada following hurricane devastation, with Capponi noting 'There's not much remaining there' on affected islands.
Read MoreGEM plans to reassess distribution areas but continue operations in Gaza despite security concerns after the deadly strike on World Central Kitchen workers.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission partnered with local businesses to raise over $1.5 million for Maui wildfire relief efforts.
Read MoreCapponi highlighted the necessity for displaced residents to transition from shelters to permanent housing solutions after devastating Maui wildfires.
Read MoreAirbnb staff volunteers, government entities and nonprofit groups such as the Maui Economic Opportunity and Global Empowerment Mission will review the eligibility of potential guests and help facilitate their stays, according to Airbnb.org. 
Read MoreGEM was on the ground in Maui since Day 2 of the historic fires, establishing a fully operational warehouse and distribution hub that delivered millions of donated goods to displaced families.
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Fox News covered Russia's continued attacks and GEM's expanding relief initiatives in Ukraine.
Read MoreCapponi discussed GEM's immediate assistance to residents impacted by catastrophic dam destruction flooding in Kherson.
Read MoreCapponi described the massive recovery challenge: 'Every single home is going to need bedding, mattresses... appliances will be ruined.'
Read MoreCapponi confirmed humanitarian collaboration plans with Avdiivka military leadership during his visit to the frontlines.
Read MoreGoya Foods partnered with GEM to deliver critical aid supplies to earthquake-devastated regions of Turkey, reaching hundreds of thousands in seven provinces.
Read MoreCapponi was on the ground in Turkey within 48 hours of the devastating earthquake, distributing $3 million worth of aid and shipping $20 million in supplies across seven provinces.
Read MoreCapponi discussed GEM's housing repair operations during the World for Ukraine summit in Poland, detailing their massive rebuilding effort.
Read MoreCapponi participated in World Economic Forum discussions; GEM received recognition for its groundbreaking Ukrainian humanitarian work.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission expanded its West Coast operations with a new warehouse and office in Chico, California.
Read MoreAn in-depth profile on how Capponi transformed from Miami nightlife entrepreneur to one of the world's most active humanitarian leaders.
Read MoreThe Global Empowerment Mission, or Gem, teamed up with Miami-Dade County CBS4'S Neighbors 4 Neighbors and generous residents who donated. "All this aid you see behind me," Gem President Michael Caponni said, pointing to pallets of food and water, "is basically 24 full size 18 wheelers of Miami supplies that the community of Miami has donated," he said.
Read MoreGEM sourced 10,000 mattresses from partner nonprofits for Hurricane Ian relief distribution across devastated Florida communities.
Read MoreCapponi outlined immediate relief priorities: 'food, hygiene' followed by tarps — 10,000 secured from Amazon for distribution.
Read MoreCapponi discussed GEM's rapid response mobilization for hurricane-affected Floridians, deploying teams within hours of landfall.
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Capponi warned 'This is gonna be like the Katrina of Florida, unfortunately' regarding the magnitude of Hurricane Ian's devastation.
Read MoreCapponi described GEM's mission: 'How to get the most amount of aid to the most amount of people in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money.'
Read MoreGEM loaded generators, tents, cots and bedding supplies in Doral, with Capponi heading to Poland to distribute supplies at the Ukrainian border on the second day of the invasion.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission in Doral is packing supplies to send to the country. “Today, we’re preparing to ship some things by air, and we’re starting to load containers,” said Global Empowerment Mission founder Michael Capponi. “The first container will be out at sea by tomorrow. We have 44 million people that live in Ukraine. They’re going to be terrified by tomorrow and today, and it’s too many people trying to leave major cities all at once.”
Read MoreSouth Florida organizations including GEM mobilized immediate relief supplies for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian military offensive.
Read MoreCapponi was on the ground the day after tornadoes ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, with GEM sending 10 semi-trucks carrying $2 million in relief supplies and $100,000 in cash cards.
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission shipped more than 500,000 goods including blankets, beverages, hygiene supplies and PPE to tornado-devastated communities in Kentucky.
Read MoreGEM mobilized emergency supplies from their Doral warehouse for tornado victims across Kentucky, with Capponi personally overseeing distribution on the ground.
Read MoreGEM continued packing and shipping relief supplies to tornado-devastated Kentucky communities from their Doral headquarters.
Read MoreCapponi arrived in Grand Isle, Louisiana within 24 hours of Hurricane Ida's landfall with 26 pallets of aid, comparing the devastation to Hurricane Michael's destruction in the Florida Panhandle.
Read More"We have been notified by probably 100 people just through messages on Facebook, people saying that they're terrified, that they couldn't evacuate. They've been texting us throughout the night because there's no more power, no more internet," said Michael Capponi, founder and President of Global Empowerment Mission. "We've lost communication with a lot of people because there's no power now."
Read MoreGlobal Empowerment Mission deployed truckloads of essential supplies to Louisiana communities devastated by Hurricane Ida's Category 4 winds and flooding.
Read More“He handed me a kit with an electric toothbrush. I will never forget it ... power charger, all types and kinds of lotions and potions that you need, pre-paid credit card, and you know when you’ve only got the shirt over your back, a pre-paid credit card was pretty good,” Rosenthal said about his first meeting with Michael Capponi.
Read MoreGEM and BStrong provided $4,000 Visa cards, $400 Walmart gift cards, and Uber credits to Champlain Tower collapse survivors through their emergency relief fund.
Read MoreGEM members packed cooling bags with blankets, PPE, first aid kits, hygiene packets, and battery chargers for families displaced by the Champlain Towers collapse.
Read MoreCapponi discussed GEM's growth, partnerships with BStrong, and the organization's expanding global footprint in an in-depth interview about humanitarian leadership.
Read More“I genuinely believe that this is all part of our destiny,” reflects Capponi on the relief efforts he helps direct in various countries. The level of empathy and understanding is a momentous ability that he has taken on from an early age.
Read MoreA profile on Capponi's evolution from Miami nightlife pioneer to global humanitarian leader, detailing GEM's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and over 284 missions worldwide.
Read MoreThe Miami-based organization Global Empowerment Mission is on the ground in the tiny village of Medyka, Poland, using donations to buy refugees train and plane tickets to help them reach any family or friends they may have in Europe.
Read MoreGEM sent nearly 300,000 pounds of relief supplies to the Bahamas, evacuated over 850 people, dispatched 30 planes, and ran 24 barge missions with over 5 million pounds of supplies after Hurricane Dorian.
Read MoreCapponi's GEM deployed teams to the Bahamas to rebuild homes and distribute over 250,000 pounds of aid across 15 islands following Hurricane Dorian's Category 5 devastation.
Read MoreG.E.M. currently has three warehouses accepting donations and volunteers in Miami and Weston at the following locations – GEM BSTRONG COMMUNITY Sacred Space Warehouse, GEM BSTRONG CENTRAL National Aid Warehouse , and BROWARD American Horse Trails Ranch. Click here to donate and learn more by visiting their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Read MoreGEM partnered with the Bahamas Relief Foundation to supply construction materials and equipment, training local Bahamians to repair damaged homes in Abaco and Grand Bahama.
Read MoreMIAMI, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of Saturday, Oct. 6, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) held their annual fundraiser gala at the Island Gardens Yachting Resort where hundreds of people around the globe gathered to join GEM in honoring those who have made extraordinary contributions to humanitarian aid, making a positive and impactful difference in the global community.
Read MoreReality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel and Global Empowerment Mission Director Michael Capponi took the initiative to help support the relief efforts after the hurricane, and have already raised tens of millions in money and supplies.
Read MoreGEM and BStrong detailed their ongoing commitment to Puerto Rico recovery, having sent over 10 million pounds of aid to hurricane-stricken Caribbean islands in 2017.
Read MoreGEM's logistics partnership with BStrong was featured on MSNBC, highlighting the organization's ability to deploy massive aid operations from their Miami warehouse to Caribbean disaster zones.
Read MoreWith the help of her own charity B Strong as well as Delivering Good, Feeding America and Global Empowerment Mission, Frankel will be delivering, per info she shared on Instagram, "$25k in Costco gift cards, $25k in cash gift cards and approximately 15k lbs of food, water and medical supplies."
Read MoreWith donations from celebrities like Andy Cohen and Elvis Duran, in addition to her own personal donations and support from The Global Empowerment Mission, Frankel is set to raise more than $1 million for hurricane relief.
Read MoreThe day after Hurricane Matthew hit western Haiti, the country's main airport stopped accepting flights. But across the border, the storm hadn't touched the Dominican Republic. So Michael Capponi, a Miami Beach nightclub promoter-turned-humanitarian, chartered a flight from South Florida to the DR and then hopped a small private plane to Port-au-Prince.
Read MoreGEM was among the first organizations on the ground in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew, documenting the destruction and delivering food to survivors in devastated hillsides outside Jeremie.
Read MoreMiami Beach resident Michael Capponi, one of Miami's biggest promoters of clubs, including LIV, B.E.D., and Amnesia, also founded one of the nation's premier Haitian relief organizations in 2011, a year after the Caribbean island was rocked by 7.0-magnitude earthquake. The quake killed between 100,000 and 200,000 people. Capponi, a recovered heroin addict, recruited musician Wyclef Jean and tennis player Venus Williams to help.
Read MoreGuests included Al and Nancy Malnik, lifetime benefactors of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida; Bob and Alysia Press; Romero Britto; Taylor and Lisa Gang; Katherine Fernandez-Rundle; Donald and Lisa Pliner; “Real Housewives of Miami” cast members Adriana de Moura and Lisa Hochstein; Igor Makarov; Elaine Lancaster; James L.
Read MoreMichael Capponi and broker Oren Alexander announced a beautiful development in Miami Beach featuring incredible views, completed by Capponi Shear Construction Group.
Read MoreApparently, Sundance isn't only about watching indie films. Several celebrities and other attendees at Park City, Utah's Sundance Film Festival took a break from the numerous film screenings and spent some time giving back last weekend. On Sunday, Michael Capponi threw a Sundance bash for a good cause.
Read MoreHOLLYWOOD BEACH, Fla., Dec. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Moses Bensusan, developer of Costa Hollywood Condominium Resort in Hollywood Beach, announced today the addition of Michael Capponi, a Miami-based construction mogul and hospitality industry savant, to the development team.
Read MoreAmber Arbucci joined longtime friend and South Beach pioneer, Michael Capponi, as well as developer Moses Bensusan, in Miami Beach on Sat., Dec 28, 2013, to co-host the debut party for Costa Hollywood condo resort. The event, dubbed Hollywood Meets Hollywood, celebrated the addition of Capponi to the development team at Costa Hollywood and served as a formal introduction to SoBe’s fast-growing sister to the north, Hollywood Beach Village, an up-and-coming beachfront haven.
Read MoreMichael Capponi CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs Company: Capponi Group Corporation INDUSTRY: Real Estate, Nightlife What Makes him Haute : Michael Capponi, a brilliant entrepreneur and committed humanitarian, continues to redefine South Florida’s landscape one successful project at a time.
Read MoreUltimate entrepreneur Michael Capponi, has successfully segued from throwing Miami’s hottest parties, to building the exquisite residences they often take place in. The Capponi Group encompasses construction, events, and humanitarian initiatives locally and in Haiti. Here is a view onto an almost typical day for Capponi, the day he unveiled William Dean’s new home and welcomed 3,500 revelers for Dean’s Gatsby-worthy birthday bash.
Read MoreMichael Capponi invited Miami Beach Commissioner Deede Weithorn onstage to present Bill Dean with a Historic Renovation Proclamation. "You can't build a historic property," remarked Dean "You can only buy one." Sarah Arison followed the award acceptance with a briefing of the foundation before vocalist Grace Weber serenaded Dean with a Marilyn Monroe-esque "Happy Birthday."
Read MoreMichael Capponi is one of the biggest names in South Beach nightlife. His events helped build what has become one of the biggest nightlife and hospitality scenes in the country. So, when he decided to host his birthday party benefit at Capitale in New York City, all of the city’s top promoters came together for a truly unforgettable evening.
Read MoreBlackBook interviews Michael Capponi about his story of triumph over adversity, discussing his shift toward humanitarian work and the creation of Global Empowerment Mission.
Read MoreMichael Capponi flew home, collected donated tents, flew them back to Haiti and persuaded a mayor to let him build a proper camp for hundreds of families on the soccer field of a gated community of luxury villas. It took him three days and less than $5,000.
Read MoreAfter numerous trips to Haiti following the earthquake, Michael Capponi of GEM discussed his concerns about the lack of funding for disaster relief for countries like Haiti.
Read MoreWhen the chips are down, you can count on nightlife impresario and entrepreneur, Michael Capponi. Over the past several years, he’s helped countless numbers of underprivileged and afflicted people during disasters such as the Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina and has hosted events to benefit the United Way, Red Cross, Make-A-Wish and Bay Point Schools, to name a few, not to mention the homeless food drive he hosts every Thanksgiving.
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