Marketa Mccants
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND URBAN DESIGN MANAGER
SHE/HER/HERS
Marketa Mccants, Community Engagement and Design Manager, Marketa Mccants (formerly Marketa Edwards) is an abolitionist, community organizer, and chef who transforms societal challenges into empowerment pathways. Drawing from personal experiences with family separation and economic hardship, she advocates for those facing systemic barriers.
Working with organizations like the Katal Center and New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Mrs. Mccants champions reform in mass incarceration and housing accessibility. As Working Families Party Capital Region Chapter Co-chair and Co-founder of The Community Rising Project, she supports those affected by the criminal justice system and co-founded the LEX NYS Collaborative addressing child welfare and policing issues.
Marketa now leads the Reimagine Albany project, empowering marginalized communities in reshaping city infrastructure through the replacement of the Dunn Memorial Bridge and I-787. She organizes events connecting residents with technical experts, supports planning processes, and coordinates partner efforts to improve quality of life while addressing infrastructure inequities.
Beyond her professional commitments, Marketa finds joy in cooking for others, sharing her culinary talents as a way to build community and create spaces for connection. Through this comprehensive approach to social justice and community care, Marketa builds stronger, more equitable communities one person at a time.