Name:Melvin Blackman, Founder of THE BURNING HOUSE PROJECT Mel was born in December of 1947 to Winston and Etheline Blackman.Mel is the eldest of three siblings. Although he came from a fairly strict background, he wound up turning to the negativity of the streets of Brooklyn after turning18. Mel was not a bad person,but did get into trouble from time to time that fortunately didn’t lead him to prison. Mel has worked since he was15 years old and even though he later fell into substance abuse,he always managed to keep a job. Mel has been drug and alcohol free since March 7,1986 (31years). Mel is a graduate of Boys H.S.(Class of ’65)but his addiction issue prevented him from completing his college and drafting school attempts.Mel went from being a day care teacher to working in the public school system in the maintenance department,due to a much higher pay scale. However,he left that job in1993,to go into the lower salaried position as a substance abuse counselor in Harlem. Mel retired in2013 after20 years in that field. He now brings the focus of THE BURNING HOUSE PROJECT to prisons and community based venues as well. Some of Mel’s accomplishments in his sober life are as follows: - Author of “CRISIS IN URBAN BLACK AMERICA, THE ENEMY WE CHOOSE NOT TO SEE”. - Author of the drug prevention book for the parents of pre-teens-“YOU’RE NOT MY FRIEND” - Author of the comedy play“FEET” - Author of the substance abuse booklet “PLAYED” as well as the Psychodrama of the same title. - U.S.Patent holder, Trademark holder, Owner of multiple copyrights - Part of the worldwide exhibit, INVENTORS IN BLACK And many more accomplishments.