Meet Melanie Richee-Livingston

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Richee-Livingston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Melanie, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Over the course of my life, I have found myself in situations where I am the only one that looks like me in the room. There have been times when I was the only woman of color in spaces ranging from college classrooms, sporting squads, business meetings, and on a stage. When I was young, I knew I looked different from everyone else in my environment. I identify as a woman of color, however, some of my physical features left me feeling caught between two worlds. Growing up I would cry to my beloved mother, Aline because she understood what it was like to be bullied and teased. It was she who comforted me during those times. Mother reminded me that I was beautiful on the outside and the inside. She was the one who told me I was wise and intelligent, and I had a right to “BE” no matter where I was in life; that I stood on the sacrifices of our ancestors and to never allow anyone to change who and what I have been ordained. The lessons of my youth have taught me to be strong!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have always had a love affair with words. I learned to read by the time I was 3 years old. My mother said when I was 1 to 2 years old, I oftentimes toted a little book under my arm. Being gifted and talented landed me in high school at the age of 12 years old. That experience taught me how to quickly adjust no matter where I am in the world. In college, I began as a vocal performance major but ended up receiving two degrees; one in English and the other in Communications. Continuing on with my passion, I wrote three books entitled “Between the Motion and the Act”, “Something to Cr-eye About” and “Created in Rain”. However, the majority of my career has been spent being a public servant. For several years I was an educator. I taught English, Science and Advanced Placement Classes. Currently, I manage federal housing programs to aid folks who are unhoused and or battling chronic homelessness. It has been extremely rewarding, hands down! Helping the underserved allows me to give back to my community in ways I never dreamed. I am also proud to be a mother and wife, and I am proud to have received a Proclamation from the City and County of Denver, Colorado recognizing my contribution to “Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and the Impact of Domestic Violence Education Among Our Youth”.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As I look back over my personal bold journey, here are some gems that helped me along the way: Your life isn’t just for you. Your life is to help aid humanity in some fashion because we are all trying to survive. Also, everyone desires to be validated, seen and heard. People matter and what they have to offer, matters. And if I can share one thing more, it would be to try to live a beautiful, conscientious existence. Remember, we are spirits having a temporary human experience. With that being said, my connection to the military allowed me to experience different cultures from around the world. But before traveling, I started my adventures within my own neighborhood. There is a Chinese proverb that says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Start by being intentional. Help a stranger, take the time to listen to someone, and in between the ebbs and flows of life, create an impactful journey worth remembering and sharing.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Both my parents have transcended from this earthly realm. My father passed away in October 2006 and my mother passed away in November 2024. They are my symbols of strength. My father had a beautiful, contagious smile. I learned from him that even when life gets hard, continue to stand tall and find something, anything, worth smiling for no matter how brief. The most impactful thing my mother did for me was show me how to trust God. Nearly half of my core family (parents, siblings, niece and grandparents) have passed away. My only saving grace is trusting God’s plan and holding on to my belief that I will see them on the other side of the stars.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: Melanie Livingston
• Twitter: @creatinginrain

Image Credits

Melanie Richee-Livingston