Monica T. Ray
Visionary Civic Leader | Social Entrepreneur | Community Wealth Builder
About Monica T. Ray
Monica Ray is a transformational leader who turns vision into legacy. For over 30 years, she's been building power at the intersection of community, capital, and capacity—supporting Black women entrepreneurs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and coaching the next generation of leaders.
Her work is rooted in lived experience and powered by her belief in the potential of people and place. From leading the Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corporation to founding the BlackBone Project, Monica creates sustainable change that transforms communities from the inside out.
"The Power of Potential, Activated."
"After 30 years of experience in leadership & community development, I know that helping people and places rise to their full potential through transformational leadership, community development, and strategic partnership is absolutely critical to empower the next generation of change-makers."
-Monica T. Ray
Skills, Expertise, & Offerings
Whether you're building an organization, scaling a mission, or leading through change—
Monica brings the strategy, clarity, and commitment to help you succeed.
Community Development & Consulting
With over 30 years of experience within the community development space, Monica offers strategic guidance for affordable housing, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization projects.
Board & Executive Leadership Coaching
As an experienced coach & leadership developer, Monica provides personalized coaching for nonprofit leaders and executives ready to scale their impact.
Black Women's Leadership Advocacy
Monica is extremely passionate about empowering Black women entrepreneurs through the work she does at the BlackBone Project and the Kiongozi Leadership Collective.
Small Business Capacity Support
Monica is an expert at providing comprehensive support for entrepreneurs including access to capital, training, and sustainable marketplace opportunities.
Interested in staying in touch?
If you're looking to stay up to date on all the incredible impact we're making, including strategic community development, transformational leadership, Black women's advocacy and empowerment, or comprehensive small business support, you're in the right place!
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ASSOCIATIONS
PROSPERING PLACES
Prospering Places is a Washington, D.C. organization serving residents, providing educational, vocational, workforce preparation, small business support, and job placement opportunities to improve quality of life through opportunity.
Community College Preparatory Academy
Community College Preparatory Academy (CC Prep) is a Washington, D.C. adult charter school that has offered free academic instruction and career and technical certification training to under-credited residents ages 18 and older
SYCAMORE AND OAK
Sycamore & Oak is a community-led retail village in Congress Heights, Ward 8, housing 13 small businesses owned by Wards 7 and 8 residents on the St. Elizabeths campus.
DESIGNED SERVICES INC
Designed Services, Inc. is a Washington, D.C. minority- and women-owned Certified Business Enterprise led by Monica Ray, providing business consulting focused on building client relationships, forging partnerships, and driving growth through creative strategies.
SOUL OF THE CITY BID
The Soul of the City BID is Washington, D.C.'s 13th Business Improvement District, serving Congress Heights, Bellevue, and Washington Highlands in Ward 8 with clean, safe, and vibrant corridors and community-centered economic development.
Voices of Impact
Hear from the leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members whose lives and organizations
have been transformed through Monica's work.
Recent Press
Monica is the founder and champion behind some of the most innovative community
ventures in Washington, DC and beyond. Check out recent news & current events below!
August 27th, 2026
Kiongozi book Lauch Amazon Link
April 9th, 2026
WBJ Diversity Awards 2026 Honoree Monica Ray
April 8th, 2026
The American Dream TV: Highlighting Sycamore & Oak
March 31st, 2026
Voices of Ward 7 and 8: Honoring the women who make Southeast
March 15th, 2026
Soul of the city: currently hiring for a new Executive Director
July 25th, 2024
Monica Ray On Fox 5:
The Second Annual BlackBone
Let's Build Together
Ready to transform your vision into impact? Join Monica's network and discover how strategic leadership creates lasting change.
Entrepreneurship Flight Lab™ is a proprietary curriculum and educational platform created by Monica T. Ray.
All books, workbooks, toolkits, presentations, instructor materials, exercises, methodologies, trademarks, and related content are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
Submitting a resource request, joining an email list, purchasing a book, or participating in a program does not authorize reproduction, resale, facilitation, distribution, adaptation, commercial use, or organizational use of Entrepreneurship Flight Lab™ materials except as expressly permitted in writing.
Copyright 2026 @ {Monica T. Ray} All rights reserved.