Melvin Cole Melvin Cole grew up in one of South Memphis’ housing project communities surrounded by gangs, murderers, and drug dealers. He was frequently left unsupervised and had no positive male role models influencing his life, as a result he joined a gang and became a father at the age of 14. His personal story reflects an at-risk youth in a world of circumstances beyond his control. Melvin graduated fromWhitehaven High School and received a football scholaeship to Bowling Green State. He told his mother after graduating high school, “I will make money by being a pro-football player or a drug dealer.� A college football injury decided his fate. Not able to play football Melvin found himself alone with no support, guidance or resources. Melvin turned back to the old neighborhood ways and began selling drugs to support his
daughter. He received a gun shot wound during a drug deal and his football dreams vanished. Melvin graduated with a bachelor degree in Sports Management, but also served over two years in the Ohio State Prison. Prison felt like a death sentence and he swore if he ever was released he would spend the rest of his life helping others. Melvin wrote a plan to help other struggling young black men while he was incarcerated. Melvin returned to Memphis and began actively helping many families from his old South Memphis neighborhood. In 2012, he formed P.U.R.E. Youth Athletic Alliance, a 501(c) (3) not for profit organization, originally designed to draw young African American fatherless boys and girls away from the violence and gangs. (P.U.R.E.) P.U.R.E. stands for Progressing Under Restraints and Extremes. The Interesting & Influential 100