His AIA Seattle colleagues honor the example of Mel Streeter AIA (BArch U of Oregon 1955), recipient of the AIA Seattle 2004 Community Service Award, for which the citation reads:

"Over several decades, Mel Streeter brought to prominence the Northwest's largest African-American-owned architecture firm. His courageous vision, unswerving commitment, and remarkable energy have made Streeter & Associates Architects a center for mentoring K-12 youth, architecture students, and emerging professionals from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. Many young people credit Mel with helping them to overcome obstacles that continue to challenge ethnic minorities in entering the design professions. For many of them, Mel's presence and active participation in community activities puts a face on the achievement of architects of color.

"As a Founding Member of the AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable, Mel Streeter shared his idealism and commitments with colleagues to help develop inspiring and effective programs to engage youth and emerging professionals in the possibilities of design and community-building."

The AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable convened a circle of remembrance for Mel as part of the annual Solstice Sequence June 22, bringing forward memories, song, and gifts in Mel's memory to the AIA Seattle Fund for Diversity at UW CAUP, which Mel helped establish and nurture as one of his many actions to provide opportunity as well as personal encouragement to young people. Family, friends and colleagues, including many AIA Seattle Members, joined in celebrating Mel's life on Saturday morning August 12, 2006, filling the pews at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle. US Congressmember Jim McDermott and Seattle City Councilmember Richard McIver offered remarks on the man and the occasion; while Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and his colleagues on the Seattle Planning Commission (represented by Roger Wagoner FAICP, AIA) sent words of recognition. Others at the podium reflected on Mel's work in various community endeavors including African American enterprise, the sports of basketball and tennis, the Streeter firm, Mount Zion Baptist Church, and AIA Seattle and the Diversity Roundtable. Mel's four sons and his sister-in-law presented family tributes, and Rev. Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney offered the eulogy.

His colleagues remember Mel Streeter:
. Leon Bridges FAIA, FNOMA: "Mel and I were good friends, and I fondly recall the precious few times we met while I lived in Seattle. We spoke to each other about architecture, in general, the problems peculiar to Black architects, architectural design, and the resounding successes of his Brother-in-Law, DeNorval Unthank, FAIA.
"Mel often challenged me to a game of tennis, but I begged off because I didn't want to be embarrassed by an 0-6 showing. He sent me a congratulatory note upon my election in 1886 as a national AIA Vice President, and later, as the 1992 winner of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Medal. A few years, ago, my wife Eloise and I were pleased that we were able to host one of his Sons for an evening in Baltimore.
"It's been over thirty years since Mel and I visited each other in person, but the memory of him will never be lost. I will miss him."

• Steve Arai AIA: "I'm deeply saddened by Mel's passing. Our professional and public community have lost a talented architect and special person who was not only committed to creating a more humane environment through the design efforts of his firm, but through his commitment to diversity and multiculturalism well before social pressures began to highlight this long-latent problem.
"Mel was a close personal friend and life-mentor whom I will truly miss. My sincerest sympathies to his family, particularly his wife Kathy and sons Doug, Jon, Ken, and Kurt."

• Donald I. King FAIA: "Few of us can grasp the depth of Mel Streeter's tenacity, commitment and the tremendous will it took for him to achieve and succeed as an African American architect in his time and in this place.
"Mel was my competitor; he was also a mentor, partner and friend. I will miss him greatly in all the roles he played in my life."

• Bert Gregory AIA: "A caring, gentle, thoughtful colleague, with a smile and laugh that would warm the soul. A hero to all architects. We will miss him dearly."

• Keli Hagen: "I loved the way Mel acknowledged your presence and gave you encouragement, his large arms and smile will be very much missed by me and many others!"

. Rick Sundberg FAIA: "This is the cause of great sadness."

• Colleagues on Seattle Planning Commission, remembering Mel Streeter