Just this year, Neelam Warren-Pal graduated from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Her late grandfather, Melvin Warren, was Ken's classmate in the late 1960s.
When Ken left Southern California after graduating high school in 1966, he traveled to Chicago where he became a student at the Moody Bible Institute. Among his freshman dorm mates was Melvin Warren. They had long talks into the night. In retrospect, it was a clash of cultures. Four years later, Melvin called a press conference and announced that the Bible school was a white, hopelessly racist institution. Rather than receive an education, it caused him much harm. See JET MAGAZINE article from 1970.
All these years, Ken lived with the suspicion that his response to Melvin’s life story on the South Side of Chicago had contributed to his profound disappointment. Several years ago, Ken attempted to locate him - only to find that Melvin had died - too soon. Ken wrote a letter to Melvin and read it on a Beached White Male podcast episode - posted April 17, 2020.
Several months later from her college dorm, Neelam, Melvin’s granddaughter, decided on her own to search Google for the grandfather she had never met. Ken’s podcast came up. Neelam listened as this stranger from California read a letter to her grandfather. He reflected on their days in Bible school more than fifty years before. Neelam shared her discovery with her Mom, Karen, Melvin’s daughter.
Since then Ken, Karen and Neelam have become friends. In this episode, you will hear Neelam’s version of this heartwarming story. A graduate of DePauw University, Neelam hopes to be a podcaster. Her plan is to interview popular hip-hop artists. Ken and Neelam talk about her favorites: Doechii, Noname, and Megan Thee Stallion. SHOW NOTES
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Ken and Scott reminisce over their years studying in Chicago in the late 60s. Ken shares more about his classmate, Melvin Warren. More show notes: https://thebeachedwhitemale.com/scott_chesebro/
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In both Podcasts, including the BONUS, Ken shares a very personal story about his friendship with Melvin Warren – one of the only African American students in his class. Mel grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Ken reads portions from his unpublished memoir, The Beached White Male.
Mel made a public protest about his years at MBI – it made the national news. Ken shares his quest to find Melvin and to compare stories, journeys since those formative years in the heart of the Windy City.
The news of Melvin’s decision to tear up his diploma appeared in several national magazines, including JET, March 19, 1970 – still available online.
NOTE: Ken is still searching to find friends or family members who have information about Melvin. He’s tried to locate the sisters, too. Fine musicians. But we have yet to connect. If you can help, CONTACT KEN
More Pending
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