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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 master plan, 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 video industry. He
has the city moving on a riverfront master plan, 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 Alumni Hall of Distinction, 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
National League of Cities Council for Youth, Education and Families – current member, Chair 2007
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
LSU Manship School of Mass Communications Hall of Fame
Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame
Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame
Louisiana Political Hall of Fame
Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame
International Union of Police Associations Meritorious Service Award
2007 Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd Meritorious Service Award
2007 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award
2007 Baton Rouge Growth Coalition, Quality of Life Award for Outstanding Contributions, Community and Public Service
2007 Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award
2007 BREC Trailblazer Award
2007 Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Dedication Award
2007 International Black Broadcasters Association Leadership Award
2006 American Planning Association, Louisiana Chapter, Distinguished Leadership Award
2006 Award Winner – Academic Distinction Fund
2006 – UGS Innovative Leadership Award
2006 – National Conference of Black Mayors Valiant Award for Balanced Government
2006 225 Magazine Best of Awards, Best Politician
Network 2005 Legend Award
2005 Blues Foundation Slim Harpo Award – Blues Ambassador
Southeastern University, James H. Morrison Lecturer
Participant Leadership Seminar Harrison Institute for Public Law Georgetown University Law Center
Sierra Club, selected "Outstanding Legislator"
Association of Retarded Citizens of Louisiana, "2003 Legislator of the Year Award"
"Louisiana Community & Technical College System Award," 2003
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., "2003 Meritorious Service Award"
Community Against Drugs & Violence, Inc., 2003 Award
Southern University, "2004 Outstanding Service Award Track & Field"
Scotlandville High School Alumni Association, "2002 Dedicated Elected Official Award"
“Fleur de Lis Leadership Award” in Health Care 2002
Louisiana Federation of Teachers, "2004 Friend of Education Award"
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & Office of Environmental Justice, "2002 National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Service Award"
Louisiana Federation of Teachers, "2003 Senator of the Year Award"
Greater Baton Rouge Pan, Hellenic Council, "2003 Award"
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gulf Coast Region, "2004 Distinguished Service Award"
Louisiana School of Psychological Association, "2003 Friend of School Psychology Award"
New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, Metro Vision
Economic Development Partnership, "2003 Economic Development Champion Award"
Louisiana Association of Educators, selected "Outstanding Legislator"
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
Southern University Law Center, "Outstanding Alumni"
Southern University, "Outstanding Alumni of the Century"
Recognized for pioneering work on the Main Street Program
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