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Former Mayor Karen Weaver joins AAMA as Interim Executive Director

Karen Weaver, the former mayor of Flint, was recently named interim executive director of the African American Mayors Association. Weaver joins the organization following the departure of Stephanie Mash Sykes, who served as the founding executive director and general counsel since May 2014.Sykes left AAMA, the organization she helped create, to become the director of intergovernmental affairs in the secretary’s office of the Department of Commerce.

“I am honored to lead AAMA in the months to come,” said Weaver. “Stephanie Mash Sykes and the dedicated board of trustees built an incredible organization that has elevated the voices of Black mayors and improved communities across the nation. I am humbled to have the chance to further this mission. Our nation is on a very rough road to healing, as we recently surpassed the grim 500,000 COVID-19 death toll. Mayors are working in their communities to address the health and economic crises brought on by the pandemic. During my time with the organization, I will fight for the issues most pressing to mayors nationwide — including COVID-19 relief, infrastructure, environmental justice, and policing reform.”

Weaver brings a strong record of political experience and advocacy to the AAMA team. She was the first woman mayor of Flint, where she served from 2015 to 2019. Weaver played an instrumental role in helping Flint cope with its ongoing water crisis — asking tough questions about what caused the crisis, elevating the issue to the national stage and fighting for long-term solutions. She also helped create hundreds of jobs and spearheaded initiatives to make the city safer during her time as mayor.

“I will always cherish my time with AAMA,” said Sykes. “Under the leadership of eight extraordinary AAMA presidents and their teams, we have worked to provide members with critical resources to move our cities closer towards a more equitable future for all. I am excited to leave the organization in the very capable hands of Mayor Weaver. She understands first-hand what mayors need to make their communities thrive.”

“On behalf of the AAMA, I am honored to thank Stephanie Mash Sykes for her years of service to our organization,” said Mayor McKinley L. Price, DDS, (Newport News, VA) president of the African American Mayors Association.

“AAMA is known nationally for our advocacy and progressive initiatives thanks to Stephanie’s dedication, perseverance, tenacity and leadership,” Price added “During her tenure, AAMA launched a nationally recognized future of work initiative and the Mayors’ Institute for Racial and Economic Justice Policy, as well as numerous other groundbreaking programs. I look forward to working with Mayor Weaver as we continue to promote AAMA’s mission. Mayor Weaver’s experience and vision will be assets to our organization in the coming months, as we hopefully move out of the pandemic while continuing to address the social and economic issues that are prevalent throughout the nation.”

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