Melvin Henley has a passion for communities and the inspiration they provide - both big and small. This passion has led him to supporting the non-profit sector and their leadership in various capacity-building efforts over the years. Currently, Henley is the Coalitions Manager with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) where he manages a number of statewide coalitions and works on the policy team advocating for policy issues in the areas of affordable housing, community economic development, and economic inclusion. Other notable work includes being an organizational development consultant in southeastern MI. Managing the visioning and engagement process of a UNESCO City of Design designation for the city of Detroit. Henley has attended and presented at various conferences and gatherings across the US and abroad focused on leadership, the creative economy, and strategic collaborations. Henley is also a strong advocate, supporter, and patron of the creative industries in all forms. Hailing from Chicago, he holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Drake University (Des Moines, IA) and a master’s degree in arts and cultural management from Queen Margaret University (Edinburgh, UK). In his free time, he enjoys biking, traveling and telling bad jokes.