Community Development That Builds Neighborhoods
With over 30 years of comprehensive community development spanning placemaking, education, real estate, and advocacy, Monica creates sustainable change through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and community-centered leadership.
Proven Leadership Results
Three decades of transforming organizations, developing leaders,
and creating measurable community impact.
$50M+
Community Investment Led
15+
Major Projects Completed
10,000+
Community Members Served
4
Key Focus
Areas
Placemaking Activities
Strategic development of community spaces, cultural programming, and neighborhood activation projects that bring residents together while attracting investment and opportunity to historically disinvested areas.
Congress Heights Partnership
Collaborative initiative bringing together residents, businesses, and institutions to create a unified vision for neighborhood development and community prosperity.
Sycamore and Oak
An environmentally sustainable marketplace supporting local entrepreneurs, particularly Black women founders, while serving as a community cultural anchor and gathering space.
Art All Night
Annual community celebration showcasing local artists, musicians, and performers while transforming neighborhood spaces into vibrant cultural venues.
Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center
Dedicated facility providing year-round programming, artist development opportunities, and community gathering space for cultural events and creative expression.
Education & Training Programs
Monica has developed numerous comprehensive educational pathways that serve learners from childhood through adulthood, with programs designed to build workforce readiness, leadership capacity, and community engagement skills that create long-term economic mobility.
CC Prep (Adult Charter School)
Community College Preparatory Academy, DC's first adult charter school east of the river, Monica co-founded and chaired CC Prep. Innovative programming and rigorous evaluation systems guide adult learners from concept to sustainability in their educational and career goals.
Cedar Tree Academy (Children's Charter School)
Comprehensive K-8 educational program focused on academic excellence, character development, and community engagement for young learners in the Congress Heights community.
CDC Training Programs
Extensive workforce development and community development corporation training programs providing residents with skills for economic mobility and community leadership.
Real Estate Development
Monica’s track record in leading complex, multi-million-dollar residential and commercial real estate projects has proven to transform neighborhoods, expand access to opportunity, and drive sustainable economic growth. Blending strategic vision with hands-on execution, Monica leverages public and private financing tools to deliver developments that meet community needs while building long-term value.
Commercial & Mixed-Use Development
Strategic development of commercial and mixed-use properties that serve as economic drivers while preserving community character and creating opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Old Congress Heights School Redevelopment – Washington, DC
Led the transformation of the historic Old Congress Heights School into a vibrant, multi-use asset that preserved its architectural character while modernizing the space for contemporary needs.
Sycamore & Oak – Washington, DC
An environmentally sustainable marketplace that brings together local entrepreneurs, particularly Black women founders, to showcase products, connect with customers, and scale their businesses.
Affordable Housing
Comprehensive affordable housing development utilizing creative financing strategies to deliver quality, affordable homes that build community wealth and provide pathways to homeownership.
Eubie Blake Place – Baltimore, MD
75 units | $5.6M project cost
Redeveloped the Franklin Square community with a mix of gut-rehabilitated historic row houses and newly constructed garage townhomes.
Willow Hills – Prince George's County, MD
11 units | $1.5M project cost
Built single-family detached homes on large lots with flexible floor plans for future expansion.
Chatham Village – Easton, MD
93 units | $4.5M project cost
Developed a mixed-income apartment community with single-level design, private entrances, vaulted ceilings, and on-site recreation.
Woodmont Development – Washington, DC
Delivered site infrastructure for affordable, for-sale homes in the District, supported by federal HOME funds, expanding homeownership opportunities in a high-cost urban market.
Real Estate Development Philosophy
Monica’s real estate development philosophy centers on community-centered design, creative financing, and sustainable impact. From restoring historic landmarks to creating mixed-use spaces and delivering new housing, Monica develops projects that strengthen neighborhoods, generate economic opportunity, and create generational wealth.
$90M+
Direct Project Investment
1200+
Affordable Housing Units Created
4
States, Including
D.C.
100%
Community-Centered
Advocacy Initiatives
Community-centered advocacy that bridges the gap between residents and major institutional decisions, ensuring that development and policy changes benefit existing communities rather than displacing them.
Frederick Douglas 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.
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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