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Steven Reed
Steven Reed
01:19

Steven Reed

Montgomery, AL

Montgomery, AL USA

"The government closest to you is the government that impacts you the most."

Career Roadmap

Steven's work combines: Government, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

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Day In The Life

Mayor

I'm a public servant focused on helping to improve my community as mayor of Montgomery, Alabama.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

Some people have the misconception that local government doesn't matter. That's not at all true. Local government is the government that impacts you the most. The public needs to vote and participate in local government in order to effect change. Another misconception is that once a leader is elected, change will immediately happen. Government was designed to work slowly and methodically. It takes time to effect change but that change will happen if you're electing the right leaders.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Morehouse College

  • Graduate Degree

    Business Administration and Management

    Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama.

  • 2.

    I earned my bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College followed by a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

  • 3.

    I began my career as a financial analyst before changing careers to work in legislation.

  • 4.

    I was elected as a probate judge in 2012.

  • 5.

    In 2019, I ran for Mayor of Montgomery and won—I became the first African-American Mayor of Montgomery since its incorporation!

  • 6.

    As mayor, I’ve worked to make sure we’re strengthening our community by helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people get the support they need to maximize their opportunities upon reentry.

  • 7.

    In addition to my work as mayor, I also serve on the River Region United Way and Britton YMCA boards, volunteer as a YMCA football coach, and am a church moderator.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    Local government positions don't matter.

  • How I responded:

    Some people have the misconception that local government doesn't matter. That's not at all true. Local government is the government that impacts you the most. The public needs to vote and participate in local government in order to effect change. Another misconception is that once a leader is elected, change will immediately happen. Government was designed to work slowly and methodically. It takes time to effect change but that change will happen if you're electing the right leaders.