Today we’d like to introduce you to Melvin M Coleman.
Hi Melvin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a down south, Georgia boy. Proud to call Savannah my hometown. After high school, I went right into the US Navy. That turned out to be a great decision. The extensive travel really expanded my horizons. The Navy definitely set me up for future success. I returned home in 1989 when my enlistment ended. I was so fortunate to use my GI Bill to attend Savannah State and then Georgia Southern for my MBA. My freshman year I started working part-time at UPS. 15 years later I was a senior account executive in Columbus GA. managing a territory that covered most of southwest Ga. My time with UPS is where all of my professional skill set was developed. But my dream profession was always to manage money in the stock market. In 2005, I relocated to Atlanta and changed careers. I enjoyed my time at Raymond James & Associates where I was a Financial Advisor for almost two years. I moved on to start my own investment advisory firm, Essential Wealth Management in 2006. That same year I attended my first Black Chamber meeting. My journey with the Atlanta Black Chambers started with that initial meeting so many years ago.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having the patience to allow everything to happen as it should in its own time. Growing and developing the capacity to lead and work with everybody. This includes people who make things extremely difficult, people you may not like.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the President & CEO of the Atlanta Black Chambers. The ABC is an organization of entrepreneurs. We support and assist small business owners to take their business endeavors to the next level. The Chamber provides access to critical resources and much-needed exposure for business owners. I was recently appointed to President & CEO, just announced in January 2023. Prior to that, I was the ABC Executive Director since January 2017. I’m extremely proud and grateful to say that under my leadership and direction, the Chamber has grown exponentially in both membership and programming. Under my leadership, The ABC brand has emerged to an unprecedented level of trust and respect. I certainly did not achieve this alone. In fact, I believe my superpower is inspiring good talented people through my own commitment to hard work and sacrifice. I’m so grateful to my leadership team. I know people of their quality don’t follow losers.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I want to do stand-up comedy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.atlantablackchambers.org
- Instagram: Atlanta Black Chambers
- Facebook: Atlanta Black Chambers
- Linkedin: Atlanta Black Chambers
- Youtube: Atlanta Black Chambers
Image Credits
Rose Mascoti Walil Archer
