Following last year’s devastating firestorm that destroyed over 9,000 buildings and claimed at least 19 lives in Altadena, California, residents are beginning the long process of rebuilding. Leading that effort, in a very personal way, is Kendra Mays, a 30-year veteran interior designer and general contractor.
A Lifelong Builder
Mays’ passion for building and design began in childhood. Growing up in Dallas, she spent her time tinkering in her grandmother’s shed, rearranging furniture, and learning trades from her roofer grandfather. “I was just very curious,” Mays told EBONY. “I always had this expansive creative imagination.” She credits her upbringing, marked by limited resources, with fostering her ingenuity.
Personal tragedy – the loss of her brother and a divorce – prompted Mays to relocate to California and launch her business. However, she initially faced challenges breaking into a field dominated by established, white male contractors. “I didn’t get any work…because there was nobody out there like me,” she explained.
From Crisis Response to Community Hub
Mays’ firm was among the first to respond after the Eaton fire, providing immediate support to affected residents. “We were helping with cleanup, handing out water, standing with them, crying with them, holding hands, and praying,” Mays said. In the months since, her office has become a vital community resource, offering residents a place to access essential services like email and fax, and simply connect with one another.
Mays and her team, which now includes her adult children, are also working to address the issue of rising housing costs. They are purchasing lots in Altadena with the intention of building and reselling affordable homes, countering efforts by corporations to capitalize on the disaster by flipping properties at inflated prices. “They can’t afford two and a half, three million dollar homes, so we are buying and building it in a more affordable way that they’ll be able to buy for half the price,” Mays stated.
The rebuilding process is expected to take years, but Mays remains optimistic. “This is my purpose,” she said. “If I’m not creating, I’m really not living.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Kendra Mays to start her business?
The loss of her brother and a divorce inspired Kendra Mays to relocate to California and launch Kendra Mays Designs.
How did Mays initially struggle to establish her business?
Mays faced difficulty finding clients initially because she was a young Black woman in an industry dominated by older, white men and women.
What is Mays’ firm doing to address affordable housing in Altadena?
Mays’ firm is purchasing lots to build and resell affordable homes, aiming to provide options for residents priced out of the market by corporations.
As Altadena continues to rebuild, what role do you think community-based efforts will play in the long-term recovery and well-being of residents?
