Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School
"We cannot reform what we refuse to reimagine."
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In Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School, Dr. Melvin J. Brown blends memoir and manifesto to expose the unseen architecture of inequity that shapes too many students' lives-and too many schools' failures.
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From a childhood marked by poverty, resilience, and the unyielding love of a mother who refused to surrender to circumstance, Brown offers a deeply human window into what it means to grow up brilliant yet burdened. His story is not one of tragedy, but of testimony-proof that talent and potential are universal, even when opportunity is not.
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Through vivid storytelling and courageous reflection, Brown compels educators, policymakers, and community leaders to confront uncomfortable truths:
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How systems built on privilege continue to punish poverty.
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How schools often misread behavior as defiance instead of distress.
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How empathy, access, and high expectations can transform a child's trajectory.
Roaches in My Cereal is both mirror and map-a call for radical empathy, institutional courage, and a new vision of education rooted in humanity. It challenges us to see every child not as a problem to be fixed, but as a possibility to be nurtured.
For anyone who believes that schools can be places where every student is fully seen, fully known, and fully free-this book is the beginning of that work.
Dr. Melvin J. Brown
Dr. Melvin J. Brown is a nationally respected superintendent, educational leader, and advocate for equity-centered school transformation. With more than three decades of service across multiple school systems, he has become known for his steadfast belief that schools must be places where every child is seen, supported, and empowered—especially those whom society too often overlooks.
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Dr. Brown has served as superintendent in Montgomery Public Schools (AL) and Reynoldsburg City Schools (OH), where he led ambitious districtwide efforts to strengthen academic pathways, expand career-connected learning, deepen student belonging, and dismantle inequitable systems. His leadership has been marked by an unwavering commitment to improving student outcomes, elevating educator voice, and aligning district structures with the needs of diverse communities. In each district he has served, Dr. Brown has championed initiatives that integrated social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive practices, community partnerships, and policies aimed at meeting the holistic needs of students and families.
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In addition to his work in district leadership, Dr. Brown serves as Superintendent in Residence at Defined, LLC, providing strategic guidance to school districts across the country on leadership development, instructional redesign, and the creation of modern career-connected learning ecosystems. His ability to bridge big-picture vision with practical, humane leadership has made him a sought-after advisor for superintendents, boards of education, and state organizations.
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As the President and CEO of Soul Vision, LLC, Dr. Brown leads a national consulting practice focused on executive coaching, equity-driven school improvement, organizational culture, and community-centered leadership. His prior roles include principal, central office administrator, and executive leader in several school systems, giving him a holistic understanding of the complexities—and possibilities—of public education.
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Dr. Brown holds an Ed.D. in Educational Studies from The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and an active participant in national organizations including AASA and the Institute for Education Innovation. His leadership has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Dwight D. Jones Courageous Leader Award and distinctions for his contributions to educational equity and community leadership.
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He is also the co-author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st Century Graduate, and his writing, speaking, and consulting continue to inspire educators nationwide to lead with courage, compassion, and a commitment to justice.
