Coach builds boys into men- one step at a time

By Ronald Tolson Jr.Contributing Writer



Richard Melvern is standing in front of 20 boys, arms folded, portraying a less-than-impressed facial expression. He walks in a clockwise circle around the group, eyes scanning and ears perked up listening for perfection.

Dem' Raider Boyz Step Squad, the highest ranked male step squad in Maryland, is practicing their ferocious stepping dance routines in the cafeteria at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md.

Like an orchestra leader who has total control, Melvern raises his hand. Instantly, the boys stop moving. The room stands still and would be completely silent except for the heavy but controlled breathing of the boys. The boys' eyes and ears are on him as he declares: "It was just OK. I need more."

Melvern stands at just 5' 8", but that belies his work as one of the principle reasons young African-American men's lives are changing at Eleanor Roosevelt.

He himself is a graduate of Roosevelt and Dem' Raider Boyz. But when his former coach retired, he stepped in as a volunteer coach to keep the squad running. The group started in 2001 to serve as both an after school athletic extracurricular activity and personal achievement program.

"I felt I couldn't just let the team dissolve," he said. "It just so happened that I would be attending the University of Maryland College Park which is right down the street from Roosevelt. I felt it was divine intervention working on my behalf."

He graduated from the University of Maryland in 2003 with a degree in economics and took a job as a financial analyst at Mooring Financial Services in Vienna, VA. But he continued coaching Dem Raider Boyz, ranked as the number one, all-male step squad in the Metropolitan area for the last eight years.

"I understand what it means to be a young, African-American male in today's society and all of the stereotypes associated with being a Black man," Melvern said.

Twice a week, he leaves work early and commutes an hour to Roosevelt. He makes up lost hours on other days of the week. But, before performances, practice is held Monday through Thursday for three hours, while Friday sessions are six hours.

"Mr. Melvern is more than just my coach," said 14-year-old Joshua Thomas. "He is also my teacher, mentor, confidant, role model and even like an annoying older brother."

Melvern requires all members on his stepping squad to complete a bi-weekly progress report which must be signed by teachers and parents or guardians. Before each practice, he enforces an hour of mandatory study hall. Members do homework, study, peer-tutor or attend a study session with their teacher.

Anyone who has a "D" on either progress report or report card is placed on academic probation which denies members to participate in the team's activities until grades improves. Dem' Raider Boyz average GPA is a 3.3.

"Mr. Melvern has taught us that being on the step team will not get you a scholarship or into college; having good grades will get you both," said 17-year-old Jared Jenkins.

Jared's father said he's noticed a major improvement in his son. "He talks about how much he loves school and can't wait to major in business in college and become a CEO of a major company."

Melvern also the boys to participate in weekend community service projects to help others.

"When I get older, I hope to join Big Brother Big Sisters and become a mentor and give back to the youth as Coach does with us," said Kevin Murray, 16.

In 2007, under his leadership Dem' Raider Boyz received the Youth Volunteer Award from the NAACP Washington, DC Branch. That same year, they also bagged the Prince George's County Youth Volunteer Award.

Weekly, Melvern addresses any personal issues the students might be having, including the true meaning of manhood.

"Coach says the size of rims on your car or the number of women you sleep with does not measure your manhood," said Kenneth Harris, 16. "How hard you work and the way you treat others does."

"Mr. Melvern is one of the rare people I know who walks the walk he talks," said Robin Price, vice principal at Eleanor Roosevelt. "His work with these young men speaks volumes of his character as a real man.