Jessy Melowicz Barbour

In 2017 and 2015 was given a Congressional Recognition Award for her work with Representative Ted Lieu (33rd District) on the Judicial Academy Selection Committee. Recipient of the 2011 Blue Shield Award for being a community activist and mother who has made an outstanding difference to the people of Los Angeles, CA.

Has collaborated with actor/activists Matt McGorry from How to Get Away with Murder (2014) and Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Kendrick Sampson from Insecure (2016), The Flash (2014), How to Get Away with Murder (2014) on social and civil justice projects that spotlight inequality, environmentalism, incarceration, law enforcement and budget issues. Jessy has been outspoken on the extreme crisis of due process violations, the impropriety and mishandling of cases by law enforcement, overly aggressive prosecution and the unjust bail systems throughout the Criminal Court process, particularly when it involves people of color, lower economic populations and victims of domestic violence. A vocal and action advocate for reformation, transparency and accountability of the family courts, juvenile and criminal justice systems and the prevention of of the "foster to prison pipeline," as well as for the support and care needed for veterans, those in the LGBTQIA communities and their families.Is a well regarded speaker on issues of domestic violence and chronic legal abuse by proxy within the US Court Systems, and has been particularly vocal on the widespread issue of due process, civil and constitutional rights violations in family courts where good and fit parents unjustifiably lose contact or custody of their children without evidence or after evidence of abuse by the other parent is presented.She is an avid proponent of the necessity of properly educating and the continuous training of judicial officers and all court assigned professionals in areas of gender and racial bias prevention, domestic violence, emotional & physical child abuse, trauma and mental illness, to not only better prevent abuse and the widespread crises in the courts, but to help combat the negative impact chronic injustice has on society as a whole.

Joined the Directors Guild of America in 1998. From production to development she has since worked with many multi-award winning producers, directors, writers and actors on original dramatic episodic television series on nearly every network and studio. Most recently Viola Davis, John Singleton, LL Cool J and Thomas Schlamme.Personally credits Adam Sandler and college friends Geoff Johns, Geoff Murillo and Matt Gren for for having inspired her interests in working in Hollywood, persuading her to leave her law enforcement and military career trajectory while at Michigan State University. She's since been able to combine the love of the two worlds with her work on episodic dramas including 'John Singleton's Snowfall (2017), NCIS: Los Angeles (2009), NYPD Blue (1993), How to Get Away with Murder (2014), Bones (2005), Justice (2006), Buddy Faro (1998), Boston Legal (2004), having collaborated with with award winning actor/activist Esai Morales on such crime and legal series as "NCIS: Los Angeles" (2018) (CBS), "How to Get Away with Murder" (2016) (ABC), "Criminal Minds" (2013) (CBS), "Fairly Legal" (2011) (USA), "Vanished" (2006) (Fox) and "NYPD Blue" (1993) (ABC), and very early in her career working as one of the only female crew members on one of the last episodes of Columbo (1971) written and directed by the late great Patrick McGoohan.

She is an assistant director and producer, known for Mousehunt (1997), Prey (1998) and NYPD Blue (1993).

Volunteers at several non-profits and community activism organizations focused on domestic violence, veterans, inequality, environmentalism, children, youth and inequality awareness and education. She is a supporter of Manifest Works, a Hollywood organization geared toward de-marginalizing formerly incarcerated participants by giving them tools for success in film and television, along with artist/activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Earth Guardians that helps empower young people by providing them with leadership opportunities and tools to bring their innovative solutions to the worlds's most pressing issues. Jessy is also a contributor to Inside Out Writers, a non profit organization started in 1996 to help reduce the recidivism crisis by providing a range of evolving services to meet the needs of youths and adults impacted by the criminal justice systems.

Is a decorated veteran, having served as Federal Law Enforcement Petty Officer and in Search and Rescue in the U.S. Coast Guard and USCG Reserves during Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm and having also provided protective security detail for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. As one of the youngest and only female members in all her units, Ms. Melowicz was awarded the Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medals. Secretary of Transportation Federico Peña under then President Bill Clinton, awarded the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Achievement Medal to her unit, presented by Admiral Robert E. Kramek, Commandant of the Coast Guard. During the time period issued, it was the highest Coast Guard unit award that could be awarded.While a senior in college, Jessy worked on the Michigan State Police Task Force investigating the Michigan Militia's involvement in the Oklahoma City Bombing of April 1995. President Bill Clinton acknowledged their service after his May 1995 commencement address at Michigan State University.

Jessy Melowicz Barbour was born on September 3, 1971 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA as Jessy Ann Melowicz.

Received a B.A. in Criminal Justice and membership into the Phi Beta Kappa Society from Michigan State University. Studied Comparative Criminology at the University of New South Wales in Australia and University of Cambridge in the UK. Since its founding in 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa Society has inducted 17 U.S. Presidents, 40 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and more than 130 Nobel Laureates into its membership.

Is of mixed race. Her family can trace her paternal lineage to artifacts and writings of the 13th Century, has ancestors who were the original French settlers of Canada in the 1600's and steadfast supporters of the First Nations, fighting and living along side many tribes throughout Northeastern North America, adopting their spiritual beliefs and principles that have been passed down through the generations. Jessy and her husband were married and their son baptized in sacred religious Native American Ceremonies. She and her son Sagan also come from a long line of civil and human rights activists, law enforcement and military service family members. Her grandfather, Leo J. Melowicz Sr was a union organizer, civil rights and social justice activist and a decorated WWII Army veteran, who also worked for the Los Angeles Times as a teenager in the 1930's.