After
a 20-year distinguished career in public service,
Senator melvin "Kip"
Holden was inaugurated Mayor-President of East Baton
Rouge Parish on January 3, 2005. Throughout his
career, Mayor Holden has worked to improve education
and has been honored for his accomplishments.
Providing leadership in the efforts to build better
classrooms through technology was a cornerstone of
his campaign, and he receive the support of numerous
teacher and educator associations in his election.
A coalition builder, Mayor Holden attracted a broad
base of support throughout the parish, defeating the
incumbent Mayor-President by a margin of 54%-46% to
become the first African American Mayor in Parish
history.
Mayor Holden is a graduate of both Baton Rouge
universities, earning a B.A., in Journalism from LSU,
a Masters degree in Journalism from Southern
University and a Juris Doctorate from Southern
University School of Law. He was also invited to
study at the Oxford University Round Table in
England.
With experience on the Metro Council and as a member
of the Louisiana House of Representatives and
Senate, Mayor Holden has taken office with extensive
knowledge of East Baton Rouge Parish government.
Mayor Holden assembled a diverse team of over 100
community leaders, citizens and university students
to form his "Green Light Baton Rouge Citizens
Council" to help develop plans to make Baton Rouge
America's next great city and set priorities for his
administration.
Born in New Orleans on August 12, 1952, Mayor Holden
is married to Lois Stevenson Holden and is the
father of five children: Melvin II; Angela; Monique;
Myron, and Brian Michael. He is a member of the
Greater King Baptist Church.
