As the newest member of the policy team at CEDAM, Melvin is responsible for supporting coalition building across CEDAM’s priority areas including affordable housing, tax policy, asset building, and consumer financial protections. As Coalition Manager, Melvin’s work will be supporting and building coalitions efforts that get us closer to creating more vibrant, equitable neighborhoods throughout the state. Melvin will oversee planning, implementing, and evaluating activities associated with coalitions. Melvin will also work with other policy team members on advocacy and policy development.

Prior to joining CEDAM, Melvin has worked across the nonprofit sector nationally and internationally for the past 10 years in a variety of capacities. Most recently, Melvin was an Organizational Development Consultant with Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) where he was focused on supporting nonprofit boards, staff, and leadership in a variety of ways. One of the highlights there was helping to develop and launch the Champions for Change program, a program aimed at changing the narrative on racial equity leadership across Washtenaw County. Passionate about the creative sector, Melvin also managed and oversaw the visioning and engagement process for a UNESCO City of Design designation with Design Core Detroit. He has attended and presented at various conferences and gatherings across the US and abroad focused on leadership, the creative economy, and strategic collaborations. Hailing from Chicago, Melvin holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Drake University (Des Moines, IA) and a master’s degree in arts and cultural management from Queen Margaret University (Edinburgh, UK). Feel free to reach out and say hello!