Why does Melvin Williams Sr. speak about mentorship?
Because mentorship saved his life. His father was killed by gun violence when Melvin was three years old.
He was first arrested at twelve, was in the juvenile justice system by sixteen, and was certified into adult court at seventeen. At seventeen, he had a mugshot.
Officers, a judge, a behavioral health director, teachers, and coaches believed in him before he believed in himself. He never returned to prison. Today he is living proof of the power of mentorship.
What roles does he hold today?
- Founder & CEO of The Philly Made Us Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Its youth mentorship program for justice-impacted and at-risk youth is in development.
- CEO of M&N Communications.
- Vice Chair of the Whitpain Township Board of Auditors.
- Author and keynote speaker on mentorship, leadership, workforce development, and second chances.
What books has Melvin Williams Sr. written?
- There's a Mentor in You (Original Edition) — The Story: his journey from a mugshot at seventeen to living proof of the power of mentorship.
- There's a Mentor in You (Expanded Edition) — The Practice: a professional development resource with The Mentor's Field Guide for child care, education, counseling, social work, and human services professionals.
- Every Corner Has a Name — Melvin's grief memoir.
Where has he spoken?
Melvin delivers keynotes for schools, nonprofits, workforce programs, and correctional and reentry audiences, including a keynote for the Correctional Education Association.
See keynote topics