“Montgomery in Motion”: Mayor Steven Reed is Rewiring City Hall for the Future

The Good Government Show features Montgomery Alabama’s first Black mayor—and he’s just getting started

As the first Black mayor in Montgomery’s 200-year history, Reed joined The Good Government Show with Dave Martin to talk about how he’s turning one of America’s most historic cities into one of its most forward-thinking—and he’s doing it with urgency, ambition, and heart.

Reed’s approach to innovation is practical and people-first. From using data to optimize trash pickup routes to expanding mobile Wi-Fi access for underserved neighborhoods, his administration is focused on closing the digital divide, protecting city systems from cyberattacks, and delivering services smarter—not slower. “We’re not trying to be flashy,” he said. “We’re trying to make government more efficient, more effective, and more equal.”

A former judge and the son of a civil rights-era city councilman, Reed says his mission is powered by legacy and driven by results. He’s reorganized City Hall, launched a Grants Department that brought in hundreds of millions in federal dollars, and introduced a performance audit to root out inefficiency. “Montgomery can’t just be known for its past—we have to lead in the present,” he told Martin. “That means being bold, being honest, and being faster.”

From soul food to smart city strategy, Reed is remaking Montgomery from the ground up. Hear the full interview on The Good Government Show at GoodGovernmentShow.com or wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll walk away believing what Mayor Reed preaches: good government is possible—and it tastes like brisket.