Kiongozi Leadership Collective
A comprehensive leadership development program designed to empower ambitious women on the cusp of senior leadership roles or entrepreneurial success
The Kiongozi Leadership Collective was born from a shared vision: to create a space where ambitious women, regardless of their background, can come together to grow, lead, and transform their communities. Co-founded by two passionate leaders with a deep commitment to women’s empowerment, the Collective is the next chapter in a journey that began with the creation of the BlackBone Project.
As the founder of the BlackBone Project, I sought to heal the trauma experienced by many women entrepreneurs—myself included—who faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. From bootstrapping businesses with personal credit to navigating the elusive work-life balance, I knew firsthand the need for a sisterhood that could lift one another. The BlackBone Project quickly became a safe haven for Black women entrepreneurs, a place to grow, share, and thrive.
However, through this work, we realized that the need for support transcended entrepreneurial women. Women from all walks of life, whether climbing the corporate ladder or leading within their communities, were also seeking a safe, empowering space to build their leadership potential.
And so, the Kiongozi Leadership Collective was established. "Kiongozi" means "leader" in Swahili, representing the collective’s mission to cultivate strong, strategic women leaders. Here, we aim to provide an environment where women can hone their leadership skills, network with like-minded peers, and access mentorship to propel them into senior leadership roles or entrepreneurial success. We are a community grounded in resilience, ambition, and the power of sisterhood—because we believe that when women lead, they change the world
As the founder of the BlackBone Project, I sought to heal the trauma experienced by many women entrepreneurs—myself included—who faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. From bootstrapping businesses with personal credit to navigating the elusive work-life balance, I knew firsthand the need for a sisterhood that could lift one another. The BlackBone Project quickly became a safe haven for Black women entrepreneurs, a place to grow, share, and thrive.
However, through this work, we realized that the need for support transcended entrepreneurial women. Women from all walks of life, whether climbing the corporate ladder or leading within their communities, were also seeking a safe, empowering space to build their leadership potential.
And so, the Kiongozi Leadership Collective was established. "Kiongozi" means "leader" in Swahili, representing the collective’s mission to cultivate strong, strategic women leaders. Here, we aim to provide an environment where women can hone their leadership skills, network with like-minded peers, and access mentorship to propel them into senior leadership roles or entrepreneurial success. We are a community grounded in resilience, ambition, and the power of sisterhood—because we believe that when women lead, they change the world
Monica Ray, Founder
Monica is a seasoned executive, community builder, and visionary leader dedicated to empowering the next generation of women leaders. With over 30 years of experience as the Executive Director of Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation, she has been a driving force for community development and engagement in Washington, D.C. As the founder of the BlackBone Project, she created a transformative space for Black women entrepreneurs, helping more than 250 businesses navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Inspired by the success of BlackBone, she co-founded the Kiongozi Leadership Collective to extend this support to women from all walks of life, offering them a safe place to grow, lead, and thrive in their personal and professional journeys. Passionate about leadership, social equity, and economic empowerment, she continues to champion opportunities for women to excel in senior roles and entrepreneurial ventures.