The Gravely Group

Melvin J. Gravely is a professional trainer and speaker who provides training and facilitation for private, public social service organizations. A native of Canton, Ohio, his interest in family and children advocacy started forty years ago as a mentor, football/basketball coach and a foster parent.

He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Kent State University and a M.S. in Urban Studies and Public Administration from the University of Akron. He is a licensed foster parent with Franklin County Children Services (FCCS). Mr. Gravely is also a Professional Registered Parliamentarian with the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) and Certified Parliamentarian Trainer with the American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP). He currently is the parliamentarian for the National Medical Association. In addition, Mr. Gravely has received extensive training on mediation, conflict resolution and train-the-trainer for cultural diversity, domestic violence and team building.

Mr. Gravely currently provides specialized training for various state/county foster parent associations such as Institute of Human Services (IHS), Franklin County Children Services, and Georgia Foster Parent Association. He has also worked with the following Head Start Agencies providing board, staff, and policy council training for Catholic Charities Services – Cleveland, Fairfax County Head Start – Virginia, Gleamns Head Start – Greenwood, South Carolina, Providence Head Start – Rhode Island, Hillsborough County Head Start – Tampa, Florida, Bee Community Action Agency – Beeville, Texas, Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland – Ohio, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. – Houston, Texas and Child Development Council of Franklin County Head Start – Columbus, Ohio.

He has had the privilege of training foster parents, staff and board members at several National Foster Parent Association and National Head Start Association Annual conferences.

He has held a number of progressively responsible positions in the family/children advocacy field including: former Treasurer and most recently President of the National Foster Parent Association, former Education Coordinator for the Ohio Association of Parliamentarians, President of the Wirenius Unit in Columbus, Ohio. He is a certified trainer with the Institute of Human Service and Ohio Human Services Training System. 

Prior to consulting, Mr. Gravely served on the Canton City Council from 1976 to 1985. He continued his public service with the state of Ohio and retired in 2008. Mel is married and lives in Columbus, Ohio.