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Melba M. Furlow, Miss Black Florida USA 1996 Melba M. Furlow, Miss Black Florida USA 1996 Melba Furlow is a dynamic community leader and public servant. She was born in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida on January 6, 1973 to Frances and David Furlow (Furlough), Jr. As a child she was very active in church and the community. Melba was appointed to Mayor Teen Volunteers by former Mayor, Tommy Hazouri. In the spring of 1987, Melba was presented the Girl Scouts USA Silver and Silver Leadership Awards by former Governor Martinez's wife at the governor's mansion in Tallahassee, Florida. In 1990, Melba was awarded the Chamber of Commerce’s/NAACP Tomorrow’s Leader Award at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast in Jacksonville, Florida. Other noteworthy achievements comprised of being chosen by Sharon Coon’s Tot’s-N-Teens Theatre to render a flute solo, Wade in the Water, in conjunction with an old, spiritual dance, honoring Rosa Parks at the annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Convention, an organization founded by the late martin L. King, Jr. In At the age of 16, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council selected Melba to participate in a Wider Opportunity to Europe (London, Paris, Switzerland, and Austria). 1991, Melba earned both the Girl Scouts USA National Gold and Gold Leadership Awards. These prestigious awards were recognized by former US President, George Bush, Sr. Because of her outstanding leadership as a Girl Scout and earning the Gold and Gold Leadership Awards, Melba was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, The Air Force, and several national organizations. Melba graduated from William M. Raines Senior High School in 1990. She was an honor graduate and class officer. She served as sophomore class treasurer and junior Class Vice-President. After graduating from Raines, Melba continued to serve in leadership roles and serve the community. Melba studied at Florida A&M University (FAMU) where she served as president of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, FAMU’s criminal justice association. Melba served as a delegate and led a team at the National Model United Nations (UN) Assemble in New York. As a student leader, Melba served as secretary in the Hatchett Pre-Law Society, NAACP Campus Branch secretary, Black Executive Exchange Program, and SCLC’s campus. Melba was press intern to the late Governor Lawton Chiles and legislative intern. In 1995, Melba was crowned Miss Black Florida USA at the Brass Parrot Hotel in Sarasota, Florida. As Miss Black Florida USA, Melba represented the State of Florida in the National Miss Black USA competition. She received both the Miss Black Florida and National Miss Black USA’s Community Service Awards. Melba served as a faculty member at a local college. Today, she is Chief Academic Officer at Ross Herrington University and Theological Seminary. She continues to serve the community as a motivational speaker, consultant, business developer, and professional development trainer. Melba is a Lifetime member of Girl Scouts USA, United Way’s Real Sense Speakers Bureau, Professional Woman Network, National Association of Professional Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Office of Attorney General’s Council on the Status of Black Men and Boys Local Advisory Council, Society of Public Administration, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, World Affairs Council, member of National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (Educators), Order of Eastern Star (recording secretary), and a Lifetime Member of the National Council of Negro Women. Melba is a distinguished author and former radio talk show host. Melba hosted a Christian radio talk show called Favor on Gospel 1400AM from 2006-2007. Additionally, she published Voices of Soul and co-authored Transformation: Re-inventing the Woman Within, edited by Linda Eastman. In January 2011, Melba was selected to lead an initiative funded by Ford Motor Company Foundation‘s, Building Economic Security Over a Lifetime Initiative. Melba served as a state director and work on the leadership team to serve 5 states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Other noteworthy educational trainings included, studying under television personality, Iyanla Vanzant’s, Spiritual Life Coaching Program. Lastly, Melba earned an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy, Master of Science Administration in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

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