About
Monica T. Ray
Visionary Civic Leader | Social Entrepreneur | Community Wealth Builder
About Monica
Monica T. Ray is a nationally respected civic innovator, nonprofit executive, and community wealth strategist with over three decades of experience designing equity-centered solutions in historically disinvested, but ambitious communities.
For 30 years, she served as the Executive Director of the Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation (CHCTDC), where she led groundbreaking efforts in affordable housing, workforce development, small business support, and placemaking—transforming CHCTDC into a pillar of stability and progress East of the River in Washington, DC.
About CHCTDC
Established in 1988, the Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corporation’s (CHCTDC) mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, DC areas East of the Anacostia River (Wards 7 & 8) by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs, a mission that Monica has embodied throughout her career.
" I am a builder in every sense. "
Empowering Black Women Entrepreneurs
Monica is the Founder and President of Designed Services, Inc., and the Co-Founder of the BlackBone Project—a growing movement supporting over 1000 Black women entrepreneurs with access to capital, community, and capacity-building.
Kiongozi Leadership Collective
The Chase Women's Initiative served as a catalyst for her creation of the Kiongozi Leadership Collective—a powerful yearlong development experience for Black women leaders rooted in sistership, transformational leadership, and civic impact.
Strategic Partnerships
In partnership with JP Morgan Chase, Monica has helped unlock community bankability and leveraged institutional support for long-overdue community reinvestment. With Chase's backing, she has activated strategic commercial spaces, including the BlackBone Business Center and BlackBone Store.
" I build leaders through mentorship, the Kiongozi Leadership Collective, the Blackbone Project, and advocacy for Black women executives "
Community Development
Monica is immensely passionate about creating positive change within her community through strategic investments. Her leadership has sparked the development of critical assets such as Sycamore & Oak, an environmentally sustainable marketplace, Community College Preparatory Academy, the first adult charter school east of the Anacostia River and the Congress Heights Business Improvement District, a 10-year organizing effort to bring visibility, investment, and safety to the corridor.
Sycamore & Oak
Sycamore & Oak is a shared vision between neighbors. It will soon become one of the most vibrant spaces in D.C., ultimately serving as an example of inclusive development, participatory economics, community engagement, healing and transformation.
Public Advocacy
For over three decades, Monica has been at the forefront of public engagement—bringing together residents, government, and private partners to shape projects that transform neighborhoods and strengthen our city. Her approach is grounded in trust-building, transparent communication, and ensuring that the people most impacted by development have a real voice in shaping it.
Monica believes that public engagement is more than a checkbox—it’s the foundation of sustainable, inclusive growth. Her work spans some of the most visible and impactful projects in Washington, DC, each demanding not only technical knowledge, but also the ability to navigate complex political landscapes, align diverse interests, and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities. She's impacted countless communities through several of her signature projects.
Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge
As the largest infrastructure project in Washington, DC in 2022, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge was more than a transportation upgrade—it was a catalyst for economic activity, local hiring, and community pride. Monica's role was to ensure residents felt informed and involved at every stage, from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting. She led engagement efforts that highlighted the project’s cultural significance, addressed construction impacts, and celebrated its role in reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the Anacostia River.
DC Streetcar
Bringing modern streetcar service back to the District was as much about public confidence as it was about infrastructure. Monica worked to bridge the gap between planners and the public, translating technical details into clear, relatable narratives and addressing concerns around accessibility, safety, and long-term benefits for local businesses and commuters.
CareFirst Arena (formerly Entertainment and Sports Arena)
In Monica's own backyard, the Entertainment and Sports Arena—now CareFirst Arena—became a flashpoint for discussions on community benefits, economic development, and neighborhood identity. Monica engaged with residents, small business owners, and city leaders to ensure the facility delivered on its promise: creating jobs, attracting visitors, and serving as a cultural anchor for Ward 8.
RFK Campus Redevelopment
The RFK Campus redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a vibrant civic hub with sports, green space, housing, and community amenities. Monica's advocacy and engagement work has centered on amplifying community voices in the planning process, ensuring that long-term residents are positioned to benefit from the jobs, amenities, and pride that will come with the project.
" I build communities through placemaking and economic development initiatives like the Congress Heights BID and Sycamore & Oak."
Voices of Impact
Hear from leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members whose lives and organizations
have been transformed through Monica's work.
Key Projects & Partnerships
Monica is the founder and champion behind some of the most innovative community
ventures in Washington, DC and beyond.
The BlackBone Project
Supports over 1,000 Black women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, community, and capacity-building resources.
Congress Heights
Partnership
10-year organizing effort bringing visibility, investment, and safety to the Congress Heights corridor.
Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corp.
Transformed a local nonprofit into a nationally recognized community development powerhouse over 30 years.
Kiongozi Leadership Collective
A powerful yearlong development experience for Black women leaders rooted in sisterhood and transformational leadership.
Sycamore & Oak Marketplace
Environmentally sustainable marketplace supporting local entrepreneurs based in Southeast DC.
Community College Preparatory Academy
DC's first adult charter school east of the Anacostia River, providing pathways to workforce readiness.
" I build opportunities through education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, especially for underserved, under-accredited, and chronically unemployed."
Monica T. Ray & her sorority sisters at the Gogo Santa Gift Wrapping event, 2023
2024 Blackbone Conference in Washington D.C.
Let's Build Together
Ready to transform your vision into impact? Join Monica's network and discover how strategic leadership creates lasting change.
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