Family

Melvin and wife Melody have been married for 24 years with three children:

• Courtland, 19, Western Branch High School honor grad, currently attends The College of William and Mary
• Isaiah, 15, honor student, 10th grade
• Joshua, 12, honor student, 7th grade
• Tiffany, 16, Goddaughter

Education

• B.A., Norfolk State University, B.A. in Political Science
• Master of Divinity, Virginia Union University School of Theology
• Doctor of Ministry, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH
  

Experienced Professional

• Senior Pastor, Grove Baptist Church, 19 years
• Family Counselor
• Mentor with CPS, specializing with adolescents
• Former Chesapeake police chaplain

Community Servant

• Member, Rotary International
• Board member, Chesapeake/Portsmouth American Red Cross
• Board member, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
• Consultant, public/private partnerships
• Founder, Education First Foundation - raising over $125,000 in the first year
• Member, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Respected Leader

• L.D. Britt Community Service Award
• President’s Community Service Award, Chesapeake Men for Progress
• Living Legacy of Hampton Roads Award
• America’s Pastor and Church of the Week, CBN’s 700 Club
• Martin Luther King Award, Old Dominion University
• Humanitarian Award 2008, Eastern Virginia Medical School    
• Community Service Award, Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals, Inc.