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| Melvin Carter | |
|---|---|
| Name | Melvin Carter |
| Birth date | 1979 |
| Birth place | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Office | 52nd Mayor of Saint Paul |
| Term start | January 2, 2018 |
| Predecessor | Chris Coleman |
| Party | Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
| Spouse | Aisha Clemons |
| Alma mater | Williams College; University of Minnesota Law School |
Melvin Carter
Melvin Carter is an American politician and lawyer who serves as the mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Carter is noted for his work on municipal equity, neighborhood development, and progressive urban policy, and has been active in regional and national discussions among mayors, advocacy groups, and civic organizations.
Carter was born in Saint Paul and raised in the Twin Cities region, attending Como Park Senior High School and later enrolling at Williams College, where he studied and participated in student leadership organizations tied to public service and community organizing. He returned to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, earning a Juris Doctor and engaging with clinics and programs associated with civil rights advocacy and neighborhood legal aid. During his formative years he interacted with local institutions such as Macalester College, Augsburg University, Hamline University, and civic entities including the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce and Minnesota Historical Society.
After law school, Carter practiced law and worked with nonprofit organizations and municipal offices, contributing to initiatives involving local nonprofits like Hallie Q. Brown Community Center and regional public agencies such as the Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. He served in roles at the Saint Paul Mayor's Office prior to his mayoralty, collaborating with officials from Ramsey County, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and advocacy groups including Facing Race and Innovative Housing Institute. Carter also engaged with political institutions such as the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party and allied with elected officials from Minneapolis and statewide leaders like Tim Pawlenty opponents and successors in regional coalitions.
As mayor, Carter presided over Saint Paul during terms overlapping with national events involving cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. His administration coordinated with federal agencies including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and state bodies such as the Minnesota Department of Public Safety while participating in municipal networks like the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. He worked alongside local law enforcement leadership from the Saint Paul Police Department and partnered with education stakeholders including Saint Paul Public Schools and regional charter organizations. Carter's tenure involved interaction with philanthropic entities such as the Bush Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and Cargill Foundation.
Carter advanced programs focusing on racial equity, economic mobility, and housing affordability, coordinating with policy experts from institutions like Harvard Kennedy School, Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and think tanks such as the Center for American Progress and Economic Policy Institute. His administration launched targeted interventions in neighborhoods aligned with models developed by PolicyLink and collaborated with civic partners including Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Greater Twin Cities United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation. Carter emphasized workforce development programs tied to employers like 3M, Target Corporation, and U.S. Bank and partnered with labor groups such as the AFL–CIO and Service Employees International Union chapters. Public health and safety initiatives involved coordination with Minnesota Department of Health, Allina Health, HealthPartners, and community clinics affiliated with M Health Fairview.
Carter's electoral campaigns for mayor drew endorsements and competitive dynamics involving local and national figures, with involvement from organizations like the Democratic National Committee, the Minnesota DFL Party, and civic endorsements from entities such as the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. His races featured debates and forums hosted by institutions like KSTP-TV, Minnesota Public Radio, and university forums at University of Minnesota, and attracted fundraising and volunteer support coordinated through campaign teams working with vendors and consultants experienced in municipal elections across cities such as Madison, Wisconsin and Boulder, Colorado.
Carter is married to Aisha Clemons and they have two children; the family participates in community organizations including African American Leadership Forum, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, and faith communities such as local congregations affiliated with the National Baptist Convention. He serves or has served on boards and advisory panels connected to regional civic life, including partnerships with Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, the Green Line Corridor Coalition, and national networks like the Mayors Innovation Project and the Coalition for a People’s Economy.