Carolene R. Mays is Publisher and President of the nation's fourth oldest-surviving African-American newspaper, the Indianapolis 
Recorder, and the recently acquired Indiana Minority Business Magazine. She has worked extensively as a community advocate, communicator, and business leader. Her commitment to service and community led her to run for the Indiana State House of Representatives. Carolene is currently serving in her third term as State Representative in District 94 on the Northwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana. In the Legislature she serves on the Ways and Means Committee, Public Health Committee and as Vice-Chairman of the Small Business and Economic Development Committee. On a national Level, Mays serves on committees with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Conference of State Legislators, and Women in Government.
Carolene is active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees. She is the founder and director of the Community Resource and Health Fair held at Lafayette Square Mall. She is also co-founder of the nationwide African American News and Information Consortium. Holding a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing from Indiana State University, Carolene quickly earned leadership roles early in her career. At Mays Chemical Company, she was Manager of Customer Service and National Accounts. During her tenure at Occidental Chemical Company, Carolene held various positions in sales and corporate account management operating throughout the country.
Since 1998, Carolene has been a catalyst for the change, redesign, and growth of the Indianapolis Recorder and has served as a voice for the community participating in several media outlets. With respect to the Recorder, Mays led a refocused charge to highlight motivational and educational news that has appealed to old and new readers of the paper, increasing its readership dramatically by over 50%, to nearly 100,000. The Recorder is now ranked among the top Black newspapers nationwide. In addition, Carolene is the co-host of a weekly television news segment, "Community Link", which airs on Central Indiana's CBS affiliate, WISH-TV, Channel 8 and highlights news from the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Carolene also serves as the co-host of the "Recorder On Air Report Television Show" (ROAR) that airs on Central Indiana cable networks and WDNI-TV Channel 65. Further, Mays was featured August 2007 in Indianapolis Monthly Magazine as one of “Indy’s Most Powerful.” In November 2007, Carolene was honored by the Indianapolis Business Journal as one of “Indiana’s Most Influential Women.” The IBJ had previously listed her as one of the “Women to Watch.” Her accomplishments were highlighted in the October 2002 issue, as the cover and feature story of the Indianapolis Woman Magazine. She has also been honored in the Ben Davis High School Hall of Fame and as an Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni. On the political front, she recently received Legislator of the Year awards from United Senior Action, Brain Injury Association, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, and Indiana Restaurant, Lodging & Tourism. She was also listed by Roll Call, a Washington D.C. publication as a Rising Star in Indiana Politics.
Carolene is a member of Eastern Star Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Indianapolis Chapter of the Links. She is recently married and has one daughter and three step-sons.
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