Melvin Tate retired January 2004 after 26 years serving in the Kent School District as teacher and an administrator. He taught at both Kentridge and Kentwood High Schools and served as the Assistant Principal at both Kentwood High School and Kent Junior High.

Mr. Tate also worked in the Kent School District Administration Center for 4 years as The Community Outreach Director where he was responsible for managing a range of diversity and equity issues, and helping the district to resolve conflicts as the district’s population became more diverse.

In 2007 he organized a community group called People Advocating Involvement in Democracy to foster better understanding and better relationships among all people in the communities around Kent and eventually South King County.