NOW:FUTURE Artist Summit; Unpacking Mutual Aid and Alternative Economies for Detroit Artists

Monique is Co-Founder of Mona Lisa Development, a socially responsible real estate development firm with property management, consulting and general contracting capabilities. A Detroit-Based and Women-Owned business, Mona Lisa Development is committed to extending opportunities to other Detroiters and disadvantaged businesses. MLD is proud to work with over 90% minority-owned companies to rehabilitate homes and provide quality affordable housing to residents, who are creatives, community builders and entrepreneurs. Monique leads development management and overall strategy to ensure preservation of place and people in the creation of neighborhood masterpieces. Monique is the Manager of Program Implementation for Building Community Value (BCV) where she supports real estate development training for Detroiters. BCV just completed its 11th cohort and has reached over 300 Detroiters.

Alongside community members in the Virginia Park neighborhood, Monique helps to lead the Black Detroiters Rebuild: Virginia Park Community (BDR) initiative. BDR is a diverse coalition of neighbors, businesses, activists and non-profits who believe that property ownership by Detroit’s Black residents is the first step in rejuvenating our neighborhoods. BDR works in collaboration with other organizations to develop equitable solutions for neighborhood rebuilding that prioritizes generational wealth building opportunities for Black Detroiters.

Monique graduated from the University of Michigan Literature, Science and the Arts Honors College with a dual degree in International Studies and Spanish.