Melissa Cullen • United States of America
Melissa Cullen was raised in a culturally diverse household, with her father hailing from Sicily and Italy and her mother from Portuguese and Cape Verdean backgrounds. As the middle child in a family of eight children, she grew up in a lively, busy environment that taught her the importance of community and family. Initially living in Brighton, Massachusetts, she moved to Newton, MA, where her family found their dream home in a neighborhood filled with other large families, fostering a strong sense of connection and belonging.
Melissa’s brothers, Demetrius and Richard, significantly shaped her early years. Demetrius, the oldest, became a basketball star in the 1980s, inspiring her to take an interest in athletics. She eventually became co-captain of her cheerleading team for two years. Richard, the youngest sibling, became a professional athlete and graced the covers of several magazines. However, growing up as the only Black family in the neighborhood wasn’t without challenges. Melissa faced racial tensions, particularly during a racial conflict at Newton South, which made her feel out of place and uncomfortable.
Driven by her passion for working with children, Melissa’s career began in the camp industry. She spent many summers attending camp with her siblings, which led her to pursue a career as a Camp Director. She worked her way up from Counselor in Training (CIT) to Assistant Program Director, enjoying the opportunity to influence young lives positively. Alongside her camp career, she pursued interior design at Newbury College and Suffolk University in Boston, expanding her professional skill set.
Her career path expanded as she explored several business ventures. Melissa was a wedding planner and designer, creating memorable events for couples. She also opened a flower shop, Floral Expressions, and managed two daycare centers, which allowed her to gain hands-on experience in business management and customer service. In addition to these ventures, she worked in home interior design and real estate, helping clients with property management and renovations. These varied experiences gave her a strong foundation for future charitable work.
In recent years, Melissa founded Shorelines of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit will provide vital services, including a soup kitchen, showers, and four meals daily. Volunteers will manage the facility, ensuring needy individuals receive food, dignity, and care. She is working to open the facility in Rhode Island, where she lives, to support those experiencing homelessness.
Looking ahead, Melissa is planning to launch Shore Adventure Centers in 2027. These all-season camps will provide an inclusive, accessible environment for children and adults with special needs, people with paraplegia, and transgender individuals. The camps will be free for children from inner-city communities, allowing them to experience a transformative retreat. She seeks land in Foster, Rhode Island, to establish the camp.
Through her nonprofit work and upcoming projects, Melissa Cullen is dedicated to creating positive, lasting change in the lives of those who need it most. Her drive to serve others continues to guide her, and she remains committed to making a meaningful impact in the community.
