Big Mike and Jabriel

Big Mike and Friends

By Big Mike Phillips

Every now and then, as an older person in our community, I’ll run across some exceptional young people who stand out. My friend Jabriel Jordan just happens to be one of those people.

I met Jabriel back during the Harvey Milk Restaurant days, when he and his good friend would come in now and again to eat. Always very sweet and polite, we became friendly over that period of time. Later, I would see him around town at community and social events and his kindness continued. Every time we see each other now, we always makes a point to say hello and he makes me feel noticed and special. He stands out in a crowd not only because of his stature or looks, but because of his wonderful heart as well.

A native to San Diego, Jabriel is 27 and has always had a love for dancing, even as a young child. Dancing was something he loved to do mostly for fun but eventually became more competitively involved with it. Go-go dancing discovered Jabriel one night when he was noticed dancing on the dance floor at a club. The group that noticed him was so impressed that they approached him and invited Jabriel to join and perform with Global Men (a professional dance group).

As a go-go dancer here in the heart of San Diego, he has made quite the name for himself — frankly, he is one of Hillcrest’s finest. Jabriel said being invited to dance all over the country for Pride events is especially rewarding and fun because he is with people who are also celebrating their authentic selves.

He has been honored to dance at stages at San Diego Pride, The Movement, Oakland Pride, Palm Springs Pride, Miami Pride, Los Angeles Pride and Denver Pride to name a few. Over the years, he has danced with Kulture Shock, World of Dance, Crucial Elements and school teams. He is continuing to use his dancing talents with artists such as Gaze with his new song “Duo Lingo.” He loves to dance every chance he gets as a profession and for fun.

Being outgoing and involved in football in high school earned Jabriel a football scholarship (2011-2015) to Mayville State University, North Dakota. Even though he does not play for a college team anymore, Jabriel still enjoys playing for fun when he can with friends.

Coming from a family of eight brothers and sisters, he found himself in foster care. He still has a very strong and close relationship with all of his siblings. He told me that his entire family, who lives in San Diego, all love music and dance. They support and always encourage each other to use their creativity, be active and do the things they love. Jabriel knows first-hand how important it is to have his siblings’ love and continued involvement in each other’s lives.

Growing up and living in different homes led Jabriel toward putting his compassion to work by helping other young people who need a hand. He has pursued his career in nonprofits as a case worker, mentor and director. His love and compassion for other young people, either living in foster care or even on the streets, provides Jabriel a sense of giving back while helping others get a fair chance in life. His dream and life’s goal are to one day open his own nonprofit. I personally admire anyone who is willing to open their heart and mind to helping others. We look forward to that dream becoming a reality.

As a young boy in school, Jabriel got involved by volunteering for different charity organizations that were welcoming and offered to him. He really has a soft spot for animals and joined Big Animals For Little Kids and he became president of the school’s Key Club. Even after getting out of school, he became a peer support specialist, joining organizations like New Alternatives: Therapeutic Behavioral Services, and the Harvey Milk Foundation knowing, his help could be effective.

A group of friends encouraged Jabriel to enter the Mr. Flicks contest, which was online and voted on by members of our community — and he won the title of Mr. Flicks. Flicks is one of his favorite bars to work and play in, saying he feels like family there with the staff, owner Jeff, and the customers who treat him so special.

Jabriel has become a shining star in the bars and to the people who have gotten to know him in our community. He is a model and has worked with many talented photographers to capture a lot of beautiful photos throughout the years. Some of Jabriel’s other passions are making music videos, acting, and working on bettering his craft. What I love about him is that he is always very kind, approachable and very easy to talk with. So next time you are out and about, and you see Jabriel dancing as a go-go in one of our LGBTQ bars, make sure you take out one of your big bills, tip him and say hello.

Jabriel counts himself as very blessed and appreciates all that San Diego has offered him throughout his life so far. He has fallen in love with the LGBTQ community allowing him to share his art. Hillcrest, with its diversity, has allowed Jabriel — as a bisexual male — to feel free to be himself and be accepted for who he really is. Even though he is a native, Jabriel made a lot of positive changes in his life, knows he is living a happy and rewarding life, and considers Hillcrest home.

Jabriel said, “I may have had a life of challenges, but I knew if I had hope and a desire to accomplish what I wanted to do, I could. Thanks to the love and support of those who love and believe in me. I’m not done yet, it’s just the beginning of my life’s adventure.”

Our community is full of wonderful and talented, caring individuals — thank you Jabriel for being one of them. Never stop hoping and never stop dreaming.