Melissa attended Unity High School in Chicago, Illinois. Unity fostered sisterhood among it's students. It was here where Melissa was introduced to becoming a sister to other girls. She continued her higher learning at Columbia College in Chicago where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree. Being a giver, she continued to be self-sacrificing eventually entering the Peace Corps. There she worked as a volunteer at the Princess Basma Center for Woman in Amman Jordan. She chosen to work with young girls in a mentoring program which taught business skills such as sales marketing, consumer service, household management and health.