MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR MELVIN GREGORY CALDWELL
WHEREAS, God, in His Infinite Wisdom has called Melvin Gregory Caldwell, most beloved citizen, to his eternal reward on August 29, 2019, at the age of sixty; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Aldennan of the 34th Ward and Chairman of the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity; and
WHEREAS, Melvin was born on the West Side of Chicago on January 17, 1959 to loving parents Louis Caldwell and Ophelia Harper Caldwell. Melvin and his family were the first African Americans to move to the Park Manor neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Melvin graduated from Hirsch High School in 1977 as Vice President, and went on to attend the University of Iowa, where he majored in Political Science and Public Administration. While a student at the University of Iowa, he became a Life Member ofthe Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a Mason (Prince Hall Masonic Temple, North Star Lodge #1). Melvin was also active in civil rights issues, leading marches at the University's Pentacrest and Student Union to bring awareness to the Atlanta Child Murders, and inviting civil rights activists, including Julian Bond, to speak at Iowa NAACP Chapter events; and
WHEREAS, Melvin continued his education, receiving his Law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1986, and a Master's degree from Governor's State University in 2000. Melvin also encouraged learning in others, and taught as an adjunct professor at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Melvin wrote for several independent Black-owned newspapers and major newspapers in Chicago and throughout Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Melvin also collaborated with noted journalists, television reporters, and producers on items focused on current local news and events, and served as a media consultant for Thornton Township; and
WHEREAS, Melvin produced his own television talk shows in Chicago, and used those shows as a platform to ...
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