Interview With Christopher Wallace's aka Biggie's First Teacher-Mel Blackman

Name:Melvin Blackman, Founder of THE BURNING HOUSE

PROJECT

Mel was born in December of 1947 to Winston and Etheline

Blackman.Mel is the eldest of three siblings. Although he

came from a fairly strict background, he wound up turning to

the negativity of the streets of Brooklyn after turning18. Mel

was not a bad person,but did get into trouble from time to

time that fortunately didn’t lead him to prison.

Mel has worked since he was15 years old and even though he

later fell into substance abuse,he always managed to keep a

job. Mel has been drug and alcohol free since March 7,1986

(31years). Mel is a graduate of Boys H.S.(Class of ’65)but his

addiction issue prevented him from completing his college

and drafting school attempts.Mel went from being a day care

teacher to working in the public school system in the

maintenance department,due to a much higher pay scale.

However,he left that job in1993,to go into the lower salaried

position as a substance abuse counselor in Harlem. Mel

retired in2013 after20 years in that field. He now brings the focus of THE BURNING HOUSE PROJECT to

prisons and community based venues as well.

Some of Mel’s accomplishments in his sober life are as

follows:

- Author of “CRISIS IN URBAN BLACK AMERICA, THE

ENEMY WE CHOOSE NOT TO SEE”.

- Author of the drug prevention book for the parents of

pre-teens-“YOU’RE NOT MY FRIEND”

- Author of the comedy play“FEET”

- Author of the substance abuse booklet “PLAYED” as well

as the Psychodrama of the same title.

- U.S.Patent holder, Trademark holder, Owner of multiple

copyrights

- Part of the worldwide exhibit, INVENTORS IN BLACK

And many more accomplishments.