On September 21, 2021, our Heavenly Father called to His beloved son, Melvin Deal, and said “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Melvin entered the world on January 2, 1943. He was born to a proud mother, the late Evelyn Wills, and raised by equally joyful grandparents, the late Winfield and Martha Wills. From an early age, Melvin was a gentleman and a scholar with a strong sense of social justice. Melvin, who was affectionately bestowed the title “Baba (Father in Kiswahili),” was educated in the public schools of the District of Columbia. In 1966, he graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and Education.

Even as a teenager and young adult , Melvin refused to accept injustice, and became a strong proponent of his people knowing their heritage from Africa to the present. It was with this passion that he began studying Dance in 1959 at age 16. Through his work, Baba Deal changed how African dance was perceived by society at large. In his own words, it was perceived as “primitive dance or ethnic dance with people jumping up and down, screaming, and banging instruments.” He opened society’s eyes to the culture, strength, and gratefulness portrayed in the art form of African Dance. Subsequently, he founded The African Heritage Dancers and Drummers in 1968. This prompted him to take his first trip to Africa in 1969.

Throughout his years of teaching African dance and culture with a zealous passion, Baba Deal, also assumed the role of father to any child whom he taught. Melvin would frequently have guests over on holidays and prepare large meals. His guests looked forward to his storytelling as much as they did his cooking. He told stories with such vivid detail as to leave nothing to the imagination, while intertwining humor and/or any emotion he sought to convey. Also of paramount importance to him was wisdom, which he imparted to the children as well as adults whose lives he unselfishly touched. He further stressed boldness and was someone who told it like it was, boldly opposed violence and injustice, and never shied away from social issues that he believed in.

He was a member of Imani Temple Church, under the leadership of Bishop George Stallings, where he served faithfully as long as he was able. Melvin was very active in the youth ministry and had a soft spot in his heart for the younger generation. Melvin was also ordained as a priest under Bishop Stallings’ leadership. Baba Deal, through his ministry, worked regularly to promote positive understanding and impart knowledge regarding the true nature of African Dance. Further adding to his list of accomplishments is his becoming the first African dance teacher the second year of Duke Ellington School of the Arts inception.

Melvin leaves to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy; cousins to whom he was a father figure ,René Williams, Brian Wills, Renee Wills, Winfred Wills, III (Jessica), Lesley Wills, April Meade (Bernard, Sr.), Chester Williams, and Marquita Williams; cousins to whom he was as beloved as a grandfather, Bernard Meade, Jr., Bryson Meade, Leila James, Desiree Williams, and Josiah Williams; special friends Carol Foster, Laverne Jones, Lavonda Jones, Arnette Jones, Cathy Smith, Renee Sumby, Willa Walker, William Caudle, Lorenzo “Baba C” Calender, Sherman Farmer, Gerald Curtis, Valencia Barclift-Curtis, Ross Pinkney, Michael Smallwood (Jewel); Godson, Antonio Freeman, and a host of family and close friends by whom he was adored.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Winfield Wills and Martha Wills; mother, Evelyn Wills; aunt and uncle, Winfred Wills, Sr. & Grace Wills, and cousin, Winfred Wills, Jr.

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