New Iberia in Iberia Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Ambassador Wilbert John Le Melle
Black American Diplomat
| | November 11, 1931 - January 11, 2003 | |
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 23, 2025
1. Ambassador Wilbert John Le Melle, Side One
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Wilbert J. Le Melle to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya and to the Republic of Seychelles. He was the only African American in the President's first major ambassadorial appointments. Ambassador Le Melle was born and raised in New Iberia. His childhood home was located on Frenzel Street. He was married for 45 years to Yvonne Tauriac Le Melle, also of New Iberia. He was an American diplomat, author, and academician, who received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Notre Dame Seminary in Bay St. Louis, MS and a Ph.D. in political science and international relations in 1963, from the University of Denver.
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He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. In both his academic and diplomatic work, Le Melle urged the United States to become more engaged in Africa, focusing on economic development and human rights issues. Ambassador Le Melle was a patriot; scholar; philanthropist; linguist; and a family man - a remarkable husband; father; brother; uncle; grandfather; and friend. He is buried
this page online
Erected by The Iberia African American Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics.
Location. 30° 0.056′ N, 91° 49.515′ W. Marker is in New Iberia, Louisiana, in Iberia Parish. It is on Ambassador W Lemelle Drive near Iberia Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Ambassador W Lemell Dr, New Iberia LA 70560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana Cajun Country and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, Acadia, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 23, 2025
2. Ambassador Wilbert John Le Melle, Side Two
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Edward Roman Catholic Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eddie L. Dorsey, MD; Ima Pierson, DDS; Howard C. Scoggins, MD; Luins Williams, MD (approx. Ό mile away); Booker T. Washington's Historic Visit to Howe Institute / Howe Institute (approx. 0.3 miles away); Howe Institute (approx. 0.3 miles away); Iberia Courthouse Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Peter's Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Peter Roman Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); Office of Rene J. Broussard, DDS (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Iberia.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Ambassador Le Melle. (Submitted on November 2, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 23, 2025
3. Ambassador Wilbert John Le Melle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
