Clay Street Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting the historic Clay Street neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland.
Our work is rooted in a deep respect for the community’s rich cultural heritage and a commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive future for all residents.
Our mission is to preserve the historical significance of Clay Street while fostering economic opportunity, educational advancement, community wellness, and cultural pride. Through collaboration, advocacy, and strategic programming, we work to ensure that Clay Street’s future remains as resilient and inspiring as its past.
About Clay Street
The Heart of Clay Street
Clay Street is one of Annapolis’ most historically resilient African American neighborhoods—a place where pride, perseverance, and community have shaped generations. Born in the aftermath of the Civil War, it became a vital haven where Black families built homes, launched businesses, and established churches and schools that stood as beacons of hope and progress. Institutions like First Baptist Church and Stanton School anchored the community, nurturing leadership and learning amid an era of systemic exclusion.
For decades, Clay Street thrived with lively porches, bustling storefronts, and neighbors who looked out for one another. Even as urban renewal efforts and economic shifts tested the neighborhood’s foundation, its spirit endured. Residents met every challenge with creativity and courage, preserving the cultural richness that defines Clay Street to this day.
This is more than a history—it’s a living legacy. Every corner of Clay Street tells a story of resilience and reinvention. Today, as revitalization efforts look toward the future, the community continues to write its next chapter—rooted in its past, but reaching forward with bold vision.
At the Clay Street Community, we are proud to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us—and just as proud to help shape the future they dreamed of.
About Us
Shirley Gordon
Founder
Shirley Gordon is a visionary leader whose life’s work reflects resilience, service, and deep community commitment. A survivor, author, and entrepreneur, she has spent decades supporting families through addiction recovery, mental health services, and economic empowerment. Her work as a certified addiction counselor, case manager, and entrepreneur reflects her belief in second chances and self-determination. Today, she leads Clay Street Community with a passion rooted in lived experience and a bold vision for collective healing and growth.
Darlene Ajayi
VP, Programs
Born and raised in Annapolis, Darlene Ajayi has long championed equity, education, and community empowerment. With a Master’s in Instructional Technology from Johns Hopkins University and a doctoral degree in progress, she blends academic insight with a deep commitment to service. Her work spans public and nonprofit sectors, always centering the needs of underserved communities. As Vice President of Programs for Clay Street Community, Darlene brings vision, strategy, and heart to initiatives that honor the neighborhood’s legacy and invest in its future.
Turing your Ideas into Opportunities through Entrepreneurship
The Housing Entrepreneurship Redevelopment Opportunities (H.E.R.O.) Program is a newly launched initiative of Clay Street Community, designed to empower under-resourced adults from Clay Street and greater Annapolis through entrepreneurship education, community development, and economic empowerment.
DONATE TODAY
Please consider donating to the Clay Street Community Development Corporation. Your contribution will enable us to feed and house more families in need, offer more programs, and spread the word to help our neighbors thrive.