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After a 20-year distinguished career in public service, Senator Melvin "Kip" Holden was inaugurated
Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish on January 3, 2005. A coalition builder, Mayor Holden attracted a broad, diverse base of support throughout the parish to become the first African-American Mayor in parish
history.
Immediately following his election, Mayor Holden assembled a diverse team of over 100 community leaders, citizens and university students to form his
"Green Light Baton Rouge Citizens Council" to help develop his "Framework
for Progress", a planning document which serves as the basis of his administration=s goal to make Baton Rouge America=s
next great city.
Upon his inauguration, he embarked on an ambitious journey to revitalize Downtown Baton Rouge, create and arts and entertainment district and market Baton Rouge to the film and video
industry. He has the city moving on a Riverfront Masterplan, redesigning a Town Square to provide more venues for arts and cultural activities. In 2006, Mayor Holden launched a new Economic Development Initiative for
East Baton Rouge Parish that includes a partnership with the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce to market the parish, the opening of two Minority Business Opportunity Centers to help small businesses participate in Louisiana=s
economic recovery, a micro-loan program and Bankers= Roundtable to assist small business development.
Recognized nationally for his leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Holden managed a City-Parish that became a place of refuge for over 200,000 evacuees from South
Louisiana in less than one week. Under his guidance, the East Baton Rouge Parish of Homeland Security received full national accreditation, one of only ten Emergency Management Programs, and one of two city/county
governments, to meet the nation=s highest standards.
In 2005, he proposed the parish=s first bond program in over 40 years to improve traffic
flow and infrastructure, breaking ground on the first projects within months of winning its overwhelming approval by the voters. At a time when Louisiana was reeling from the devastation of two hurricanes, Mayor Holden
took his city=s story to Wall Street and bond rating agencies upgraded bonds for East Baton Rouge Parish based on his
administration=s sound management policies, saving the taxpayers millions of dollars in interest.
Throughout his career, Mayor Holden has worked to improve education and has been honored for his accomplishments. As Mayor-President, he has delivered new volunteer programs and
technology partnerships for East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools, including the largest software donation in East Baton Rouge Parish history, a $307 million grant from UGS that will provide 3-D imaging software for
classes in math, science and the arts for students from the third grade through high school to help prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
Mayor Holden is a graduate of both Baton Rouge universities, earning a B.A. in Journalism from LSU, a Masters degree in Journalism from Southern University, a Juris Doctorate from
Southern University School of Law and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Policy from Southern University. He was also invited to study at the Oxford University Round Table in England. Mayor Holden was recently honored
by both universities by being inducted into the LSU Manship School of Communications Hall of Fame and the Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame.
With experience on the Metro Council and as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate, Mayor Holden has extensive knowledge of East Baton Rouge Parish government.
Born in New Orleans on August 12, 1952, Mayor Holden is married to Lois Stevenson Holden and is the father of five children, Melvin, II; Angela; Monique; Myron and Brian Michael. He is a
member of Greater King David Baptist Church.
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 Fame
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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