EDUCATION
- Oxford University Round Table, Oxford, England, 2002
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1998 Graduate
- Southern University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Juris Doctorate, 1985
- Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Master of Arts, Journalism, 1982
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bachelors of Arts, Journalism, 1974
- Scotlandville Senior High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1970 Graduate
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge, present
Louisiana State Senator, District 15
- Law Firm: Melvin "Kip" Holden & Associates
- Southern University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Adjunct Professor of Law, 1991, present
- Louisiana House of Representatives State Representative, District 63, 1988-2001
- Councilman, Baton Rouge Metro Council District 2, 1984-1988
- Louisiana Department of Labor Office of Workers= Compensation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Former Law Clerk
- Baton Rouge City Police, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Former Public Information Officer
- United States Census Bureau, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Public Relations Specialist
- WBRZ Channel 2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reporter, 1978-1979
- WWL Radio, New Orleans, Louisiana, Reporter, 1977-1978
- WXOK Radio, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, News Director, 1975-1977
ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS
- LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction
- Manship School of Communications Hall of Fame
- Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame
- 2007 Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award
- 2007 BREC Trailblazer Award
- 2006 Louisiana Chapter, Distinguished Leadership Award, American Planning Association
- 2006 Academic Distinction Fund Award Winner
- 2006 UGS Innovative Leadership Award
- 2006 National Conference of Black Mayors Valiant Award for Balanced Government
- Network 2005 Legend Award
- 2005 Blues Foundation Slim Harpo Award, Blues Ambassador
- James H. Morrison Lecturer, Southeastern University
- Participant Leadership Seminar Harrison Institute for Public Law Georgetown University Law Center
- Selected "Outstanding Legislator," Sierra Club
- "2003 Legislator of the Year Award," Association of Retarded Citizens of Louisiana
- "2003 Louisiana Community & Technical College System Award"
- "2003 Meritorious Service Award," Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- 2003 Award Community Against Drugs & Violence, Inc.
- "2004 Outstanding Service Award Track & Field," Southern University
- "2002 Dedicated Elected Official Award," Scotlandville High School Alumni Association
- "Fleur de Lis Leadership Award" in Health Care 2002
- "2004 Friend of Education Award," Louisiana Federation of Teachers
- "2002 National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Service Award," U.S. Environmental
- Protection Agency & Office of Environmental Justice
- "2003 Senator of the Year Award," Louisiana Federation of Teachers
- "2003 Award," Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council
- "2004 Distinguished Service Award," Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gulf Coast Region
- "2003 Friend of School Psychology Award," Louisiana School of Psychological Association
- New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, Metro Vision
- "2003 Economic Development Champion Award," Economic Development Partnership
- Selected "Outstanding Legislator," Louisiana Association of Educators
- Selected Lecturer on environmental matters facing local, state and federal governments for numerous forums
- "Brown Pelican Award," as one of the Environmental Legislators of Louisiana
- "Outstanding Alumni," Southern University Law Center
- "Outstanding Alumni of the Century," Southern University
- Recognized for pioneering work on the Main Street Program
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