Episode 10: Carmen Mays

The #CitiesFirst Podcast

Carmen Mays, MPA is an urbanist and creative entrepreneur that believes in the balance of thought leadership and implementation. She affirms that all people have value, and each place holds invaluable stories. Carmen employs a place-based approach that facilitates agency and self-determination to develop blueprints that industry leaders successfully leverage.Carmen served as the Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety Administrator for the mayoral transition team in the City of Birmingham. There, she led a team of 70+ community volunteers through the policy development process, culminating with a report that details the community's policy directives. Carmen also re-launched the Minority Business Development program for the City of Spartanburg in South Carolina, earning Federal Highway Administration approval for the City’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. Additionally, she has led courses on Anti-Racism in Local Government and provided thought leadership on Equity Centered Policy and Programming.Carmen currently serves her hometown as the Chief of Staff to the Honorable Carole E. Clarke, Birmingham City Council District 8. She also is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and creative entrepreneur at her company, Elevators.Carmen is a leader in both the global Placemaking movement and the development of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. As an urbanist and placemaker, Carmen is a leader with PlacemakingUS and has shared her expertise as a speaker at Placemaking Week Flint, Placemaking Europe, and Well Being Cities, among others. As a founding member of the Black Innovation Alliance and former Grow with Google Digital Coach, Carmen has been at the forefront of programmatic and policy development for entrepreneurs, particularly creatives of color.Here's a sneak peek into the episode: 👇👇👇✅What is your approach to placemaking and urbanism in Birmingham?✅How can urban stakeholders ensure greater access to and equity in shared and micromobility?✅Can local communities DIY and take a bottom up approach to economic development?✅How do we harness innovation and investment to provide more inclusive urban environments?