Biography Of Melvin L. "Kip" Holden

Melvin “Kip” Holden has the distinction of being the first African-American Mayor-President in East Baton Rouge Parish. A New Orleans native, Holden attended high school in Baton Rouge, graduating from Scotlandville High School. He went on to graduate from LSU with a BA in Journalism and to receive both a Masters degree in Journalism and a Juris Doctorate from Southern University.

Holden’s 20 year political career prior to his election as Mayor-President was one of solid advancement. He began as an EBR Parish Metro-Councilman (1984-88). In 1988 he ran for the Louisiana legislature and was elected to the House of Representatives where he served through 2001. Following his term as Representative, Holden successfully ran for the Louisiana Senate, a position he held until 2004 when he ran for Mayor-President and beat the incumbent, Bobby Simpson. He was inaugurated in January, 2005.

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.

SOURCE: www.brgov.com

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MELVIN L. "KIP" HOLDEN

Baton Rouge Mayor-President

1952-

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