**Mayor Certifies Soul of the City Business Improvement District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2026
Contact:
Soul of the City Business Improvement District
Email: Monica@SouloftheCity.org
Website: www.engage.soulofthecity.org
**Mayor Certifies Soul of the City Business Improvement District,Marking Culmination of a Decade of Community Engagement**
Certification Effective January 22, 2026; Executive Director Search Launches Immediately
Washington, DC — The Soul of the City Business Improvement District (BID) has been formally certified by the Mayor of the District of Columbia, with the certification taking effect on January 22, 2026. This milestone represents the culmination of more than ten years of sustained community engagement, organizing, and coalition-building across Congress Heights, Bellevue, and Washington Highlands.
The Mayor’s certification authorizes the Soul of the City BID to begin operations as a place-based management organization dedicated to improving the quality of life along key commercial corridors while advancing community-centered economic development.
“This moment is not about speed — it is about stewardship,” said Monica Ray, lead organizer of the Soul of the City BID. “This BID was built deliberately, through years of listening, alignment, and trust-building with residents, business owners, faith leaders, institutions, and public partners. The certification reflects not just approval, but readiness.”
A BID Built Over Time
The Soul of the City BID was shaped through thousands of conversations with small business owners, property owners, residents, developers, and District agencies. Its creation reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that investment, revitalization, and growth are guided by community priorities and benefit those who have long sustained these neighborhoods.
The BID’s work will focus on:
- Clean and safe commercial corridors
- Small business support and economic vitality
- Placemaking, arts, and cultural activation
- Partnership-driven solutions to neighborhood challenges
- Equitable development and shared prosperity
With certification now in effect, the BID will move into its implementation phase, establishing core operations and launching early initiatives.
Executive Director Search Begins
In conjunction with the Mayor’s certification, the Soul of the City BID announced that it is officially launching a national search for its Executive Director, effective immediately.
The Executive Director will serve as the founding leader of the organization, responsible for building BID operations, leading clean and safe programs, supporting small businesses, activating public spaces, managing partnerships, and advancing the BID’s social impact agenda.
“This is a leadership role that requires both vision and discipline,” Ray added. “We are looking for a leader who understands place-based management, but who also understands people — someone who can operationalize excellence while honoring community voice.”
Information about the Executive Director position and other employment opportunities can be found at HERE
Looking Ahead
With certification secured, the Soul of the City BID enters its next chapter focused on implementation, accountability, and results. The BID will work closely with community stakeholders and District partners to ensure its services are visible, effective, and aligned with neighborhood needs.
“This certification marks a beginning, not an end,” said Ray. “The work ahead is about delivering on the promise that guided this effort from the start — that communities can shape their own economic future when given the right tools.”
About the Soul of the City Business Improvement District
The Soul of the City Business Improvement District is a place-based management organization serving commercial corridors in Congress Heights, Bellevue, and Washington Highlands. The BID is dedicated to delivering clean, safe, and vibrant corridors while supporting small businesses, cultural expression, and community-centered economic development.
For more information, visit https://engage.soulofthecity.