A Legacy Revealed: The Unveiling of the Ambassador Wilbert J. LeMelle Historical Marker
The Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS) warmly invites the public to join them for A Legacy Revealed: The Unveiling of the Ambassador Wilbert J. LeMelle Marker on Sat., May 3, 2025.
Ambassador Wilbert J. LeMelle, a New Iberia native, embarked on a distinguished journey from the Queen City to the global stage, serving as the United States Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles. He also held significant roles in academia as President of Mercy College and the Phelps Stokes Fund.
This event is a celebration of Ambassador LeMelle’s unwavering dedication to service, his leadership in both politics and education, and his lifelong commitment to public service. The historical society aims to inspire guests to embrace and carry forward his exemplary legacy. To confirm your attendance, please RSVP on Eventbrite.
This marker unveiling marks the fifth historic installation by the IAAHS, as part their ongoing commitment to present a true and inclusive history of Iberia Parish. It highlights the contributions of African American descendants who have significantly shaped the region’s rich history and culture. This follows IAAHS’s previous unveiling of a marker honoring Queen Mother Moore, a native Iberian whose political activism made her a globally recognized leader of African liberation, supported by the Rebirth Grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
Schedule:
The day will commence at 2 p.m. with a dedication ceremony at the St. Edward Catholic Church St. Katharine Drexel Family Life Center (175 Ambassador W. LeMelle Dr., New Iberia), featuring special family guests.
This will be followed by the marker unveiling at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Iberia St. and Ambassador W. LeMelle Dr.
Post-ceremony, St. Edward Catholic Church, where Ambassador LeMelle was a devoted member, will conduct its Saturday mass. Additionally, the event will feature a silent auction, including a painting by St. Lucian artist Merlinda Burgess that celebrates Ambassador LeMelle’s legacy.
To confirm your attendance, please RSVP on Eventbrite.
About Ambassador Wilbert J. LeMelle:
Born on Nov. 11, 1931, in New Iberia, LA, Ambassador Wilbert John LeMelle was a distinguished American diplomat, author, and academic. Raised as one of eight children by his parents, Therese and Eloi LeMelle, he embarked on an educational path that initially aimed towards priesthood. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Notre Dame Seminary in 1955 and 1956, respectively. At the age of 24, LeMelle shifted his career focus and joined the United States Army, where he served from 1957 to 1959.
After his military service, he pursued further academic excellence by obtaining a Ph.D. in political science and international relations from the University of Denver in 1963. During this time, he also contributed to academia as an assistant professor of History and Philosophy at Grambling State University from 1956 to 1961. LeMelle’s academic journey continued at Boston University, where he served as an assistant professor and research associate in the African Studies Program.
In 1965, LeMelle began a pivotal chapter in his career with the Ford Foundation as a program officer for West Africa. He advanced in his career at the Ford Foundation to become Deputy Director of the East Africa office and then Director of North Africa and the Middle East. These roles enabled him to live and work in diverse locales across Africa, including Kenya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, deepening his engagement with international relations and development.
His diplomatic career reached a peak when President Jimmy Carter appointed him as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya and to the Republic of Seychelles from 1977 to 1980. Following his diplomatic service, LeMelle took on significant educational leadership roles, serving as the vice-chancellor of the State University of New York from 1981 to 1985, and later as the president of what is now Mercy University in New York starting in 1985.
From 1990 until 2000, LeMelle led the Phelps Stokes Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering connections between emerging leaders and organizations across Africa and the Americas, enhancing social and economic development. During this time, he also served on the boards of several major institutions including Borden, the Public Broadcasting System and Chase NBW National Bank of Westchester. He was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His life and career were marked by a profound dedication to education, diplomacy, and service, making lasting contributions both at home and internationally.
About the Iberia African American Historical Society:
The mission of The Iberia African American Historical Society is to foster the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the long, rich, and unique history of African Americans in Iberia Parish; and also, by example and through programs and activities, to encourage and promote research, preservation, and publication of historical materials related to the history of African Americans in Iberia Parish. The IAAHS is a not-for-profit organization that funds special programs and events through donations. For more information, and to become a member, visit IAAHS.org.
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