Hi, I’m Karim, and I’m so glad you stopped by. You can read my formal bio below, but I just wanted to say, “Hello.” I’m passionate about helping businesses reach their marketing goals. I began my digital marketing journey using Weebly (a now outdated website builder for non-technical people) to build a website for the church I pastored. Yes, I learned from the school of hard knocks. Ten years later, I primarily use WordPress. Still, I am adept at using all the popular website builders and the essential digital marketing tools designed to help businesses grow exponentially online. I went from learning digital marketing to save money for the organizations I worked with to providing marketing services for organizations worth up to millions of dollars. At MayByrd Media we develop individualized marketing strategies based on your goals and objectives. Let’s chat about how we can help you dramatically increase your customers and revenue.
Karim Camara, the founder and Director of Marketing and Communications MayByrd Media- specialists in digital marketing, copywriting, strategic communications, and public relations), writer, spiritual teacher, and leadership coach with over 30 years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit, and faith-based organizations, including over 30 years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit, and faith sectors, including leadership at the highest level of educational, governmental, and religious organizations. Karim is a gifted and passionate entrepreneur, having served incredibly diverse roles as an elected official (New York State Legislator- Member of the Assembly), a church founding Pastor, founding Executive Director of a New York statewide governmental office, and founder of a dog training business, and founder of a New York State championship-winning youth basketball program (for which he was the Head Coach).
He is a founder and the Director of Marketing and Communications of MayByrd Media, based in Brooklyn, New York. He has worked with organizations ranging from a multi-million dollar hedge fund to religious organizations, state agencies, businesses of all sizes, and non-profit organizations. Despite having many interests and skills, he is emphatic that he is not a “jack of all trades.” Instead, he insists that he, like many people, has many passions.
In addition to his marketing and leadership interests, he is passionate about coaching youth basketball. He founded EXCEL Basketball, which has sponsored one of the country’s top youth AAU basketball programs since 2016. EXCEL stands for “Excellence and Character Empowers Leaders.” Karim is known as a basketball strategist for his ability to quickly develop the skills of individual players and teams. Still, more significantly, he is committed to positive youth development and advocacy.
Camara served as an elected Member of the New York State Legislature from 2005 until 2015, representing over 120,000 citizens of the 43rd Assembly District. In February 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo appointed him as Executive Director of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services, where he served until June 2022.
During his tenure as Assemblyman, City & State (a state-wide publication) recognized Karim for his government and community work by listing him among the Top 40 Under 40 in the New York State Government and among the Top 100 Most Powerful People in New York State.
Camara graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (Minor: Chemistry) and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from the New York Theological Seminary. He has also studied at Alfred University, Fordham University, and Wesley Theological Seminary.
As a student at Xavier University, Karim was active in positive youth development and community service. He became a leader in Xavier’s nationally recognized community service organization MAX (Mobilization at Xavier). As part of MAX, he founded and led a program called “Project RISE” (Reducing Illiteracy Scars through Education), a literacy program at a New Orleans public school with some of the lowest reading scores in the city. Because of the success of this program, President Bill Clinton invited him to stand with him at the news conference to announce AmeriCorps, his National Community Service Program.
Camara, widely known as a dynamic speaker, has spoken at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, New York University School of Medicine, Verizon, American Red Cross of Greater NY, and numerous other companies, churches, colleges, schools, and community organizations. He has also received multiple awards and distinctions from schools, faith-based, and community organizations.
