Collin Mays
Leadership
Collin Mays has a deep passion for public service. He has spent his entire career in the public sector and truly believes in the power of giving back.
Collin Mays
Collin Mays’ Professional Background
Collin Mays is a well-respected leader from the Midwest who has worked in state and local government. For years, Collin has also served his community, sharing his time and talent with the nonprofit sector.
Collin Mays most recently served as Director of the Department of Economic Inclusion for the City of Cincinnati, Ohio where he was responsible for administering, enforcing, and monitoring the Living Wage Program, MBE/WBE/SBE certification programs and Local, State & Federal Prevailing Wage laws, as well as community outreach.
He previously served as Community and Economic Development for Delta Charter Township, Michigan and as Economic Development Director for the City of Center Line, Michigan. He has been credited with assisting dozens of small and minority-owned businesses with securing grants, and other means of capital for operation. Additionally, Collin has been recognized for workforce development program innovation.
Education
Collin Mays earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.
LOSING it for GOOD...
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR
Men's Better Health and Wellness
A Book By Author Collin Mays
In this enlightening new book by author Collin Mays’, we learn how Mr. Mays overcame struggles with food addiction as a youth and young adult and his battles with obesity, which lasted into adulthood.
Five years ago, the author altered his thinking about who he was as a person, identified what was important in life, and made the decision that he was sick and tired of being obese, a circumstance threatening his personal and professional well-being.
Mr. Mays’ once weighed 419 pounds but was able to lose 200 pounds in 3 ½ years. Yet, the book is not merely about losing weight; it’s also about gaining discipline, motivation, and perseverance to be a better steward in charge of your personal life by eating smart, exercising daily, and doing the other things necessary to live healthy – mentally and physically.
His personal journey toward wellness made Collin Mays acutely aware of the dire situation in Black Men’s Health today. He has become a sought after speaker on the subject, writing guest columns, appearing on local news shows, and national podcasts. In April 2024, he will be a featured speaker at the symposium he envisioned - Brother, Let's Talk: A Conversation on Black Men's Health - in partnership with Wayne State University at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit.
Collin Mays believes it is imperative to get
out in the community to meet, understand, and empower area business owners.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Successes in Cincinnati Include:
Certifications:
Under Collin Mays’ leadership, DEI made increasing the processing of certification applications a significant goal for 2022, prompting the formation of a Certification Team to evaluate the current process and identify a streamlined approach for accurately processing applications. Processing more than 100 new and renewal certifications in one year.
Community Engagement and Outreach:
Collin Mays and his DEI team attended or hosted over 75 events, including Local, State, and Federal Certification Workshops, symposiums, conferences, training programs, and seminars, with the outreach efforts touching more than 1,500 people.
Workforce Development:
Under Collin Mays’ direction, DEI established its first Workforce Team. The Team hosted two successful career fairs, the first in College Hill and the second in East Price Hill. These fairs also provided certified firms networking opportunities with workforce development organizations, resume/job readiness assistance, and record
expungement services.
Business Enterprise Expo:
The Cincinnati Business Expo allowed DEI-certified MBE/WBE/SBEs to showcase their capabilities to major businesses in the Cincinnati area. Over 150 certified businesses and large companies participated in the expo. The event was a prime opportunity for MBE/WBE/SBEs to network with larger companies in the region and explore potential business partnerships.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS:
Collin Mays and his DEI Team introduced the Business Enterprise of the Month initiative in celebration of individual businesses that grew and prospered after being certified with the city. Each month, DEI selected a business to showcase on its website and social media platforms and presents the chosen business with a certificate of achievement.
IN THE NEWS - PUBLIC SERVICE
Collin Mays has actively worked with the media to get his inspiring message
out to business owners, the public and other governmental agencies.
Cincinnati hosts first-of-its-kind Career Fair at College Hill Recreation Center. Collin Mays explains the benefits to Local 12's Chelsea Sick.
PHILANTHROPY
Collin Mays is the Co-Chair of The Soul of Philanthropy Michigan (TSOP). This project is a tribute to black philanthropy. TSOP Reframed and Exhibited was installed at the Detroit Historical Museum June-August 2023. TSOP Michigan project has an operating budget of $350,000 with an aspirational fundraising goal of $1 million. As of July 2023, $550,000 has been raised.
Collin Mays also served as the 2021 Committee Chair of Alzheimer’s Association - Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Under Collin’s leadership the Detroit chapter placed first in the nation with most registered new teams and 17th in the nation for fundraising, raising over $800,000.
In 2017, Collin started the Mays Family Scholarship in partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to encourage undergraduate students to finish their degree. The scholarship awarded three recipients $1,500 each and received over 600 interested applicants.
IN THE NEWS - PhilanthropY
Collin Mays shares his inspiring message of philanthropy.
Collin Mays and Nikia Washington appear on American Black Journal with Stephen Henderson talking about The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited.
Collin Mays and Janet Webster, owner of Source Booksellers joined Charlie Langton in the Fox 2 Detroit studio to discuss
The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed & Exhibited.
Collin Mays discusses the importance of Philanthropy, not just during the traditional holiday giving season, but every day. His guest article appears in the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Business Magazine.
Detroit Historical Museum launching 'The Soul of Philanthropy' exhibit. Collin Mays discusses Philanthropy on WDIV Channel 4.
Collin Mays discusses the importance of Philanthropy, not just during the traditional holiday giving season, but every day. However, the holidays are still excellent times to invest in nonprofits and charities. Collin’s guest article on the subject of philanthropy appears in the Michigan Chronicle.
Collin Mays’s guest column in the Indianapolis Recorder draws attention to the crisis in Black Men’s Health. He urges Black men to resolve to take better care of themselves, physically and emotionally. Collin took his own advice five years ago, beginning a regimen that allowed him to lose 200 pounds through diet and exercise.
Collin Mays: Testimonials
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- Karen Dumas
Detroit News Columnist and Communications Strategist
Collin personifies excellence at every level. He's a great person who is committed to the best in all that he does!
- Dayna (Neef) Deaner,
Director of Corporate Relations Oakland University & Co-Chair 2021 Detroit Walk to End Alzheimer's
“
Collin has been an outstanding leader and innovator. He is caring, compassionate, and understands the value of paying it forward. Working with Collin was an enjoyable experience and I look forward to future collaborations!
- Tiffany DeMeyers, Principal and Executive Strategist. OWE Consulting
“
Experienced, driven, professional and upstanding community leadership, are a few ways to describe Collin. Within in multiple communities, I have had the opportunity to connect with him and see his stellar impact on diversity and politics. He has thrived in community impact, organizational and programmatic structure and economic development. Without hesitation, I'd recommend Collin.
Collin Mays – Award-Winning Leader
NFBPA Steven D Ford Memorial Award 2023
2017 Recognized by Michigan Talent Investment Agency for registering the most new apprenticeships in the State of Michigan
Western Michigan University Alumni Achievement Award 2022
City of Detroit Spirit of Detroit Award 2015
Collin Mays shows off his Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council ‘Twenty to Watch’ Award to WDIV Anchor Rhonda Walker
Let's Work Together
Photo Credit: Crain’s Detroit Business
mayscollinf [@] gmail.com
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