Learning To Dream

Author Profile

Melanie Powell-Geddes was born and raised in Far Rockaway, New York.  She lived in the New York City Housing Authority's Edgemere Housing Projects.  As a youngster, Melanie loved to write but didn't recognize it as a talent until fifth grade when she wrote a story entitled "Ode to a Pair of Dice".  Her teacher, Ms. Stanicic, was so impressed that she shared the story with the other students and some members of the faculty.  Ms. Stanicic encouraged Melanie to continue to write creatively.

On her first day of classes at Delhi college, Professor Tom O'Connell gave the class five minutes of free writing time.  When he read what Melanie had written in just five minutes, he was shocked!  Professor O'Connell read the essay to the class and the peer response was the same.  Professor O'Connell implored Melanie to consider a career in writing and paid special attention to everything she wrote.  Although she began to accept that she had a gift for creative writing, Melanie did not embrace it as a career choice.  Instead, she pursued a wide range of interests including Social Services, Acting, Counseling, Modeling, Youth Services and Culinary Arts.

Throughout the years, others have impelled Melanie to pursue a career utilizing her writing ability, but she was not interested in making her hobby her career.  Melanie saw herself as a motivator, someone who could influence change in individuals and organizations.  With her view as a guide, she embarked on a journey that would take her from Youth and Correctional Counseling to Job Placement Specialist for Ex-Offenders.  Melanie later directed programs for people infected with HIV, welfare recipients, and the homeless.

In 2003, Melanie had a dream that she had written a self-help book for youth.  That dream is what helped her find a way to combine her passion for helping others improve their lives and her ability to write.  In 2004, Melanie completed Learning to Dream With Your Eyes Open: A Survival Guide for Inner City Youth, and started her own business.  She is the President of Geddes Associates, Inc., a personal and professional development company.  She conducts self-improvement, motivational and employment-related workshops, seminars and training for disenfranchised adults and youth who face barriers ranging from unemployment, low self-esteem, poor education, incarceration, and generational welfare dependency.  Melanie is near completion of her second self-help book entitled: Learning to Love With Your Clothes On: A Guide for the Husband Who Just Can't Seem to Get It Right.

Melanie received an undergraduate degree in Deviant Behavior and Social Control and a Masters degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.  She is a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, a Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) and member of the Rhoses of Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Inc.  She lives in South Florida with her husband and two sons.