Sylvia Ray

The NC Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED), was founded in May of 1990 as a non-profit agency to serve as a referral resource for women.

Since then the center has evolved into a regional multi-service resource and advocacy center that promotes growth, economic empowerment, productiveness, and well-being of women and men through counseling, education, information, and programs.

She directed staff, building programs such as the First Women’s Business Center in NC, a New Choices Program, and a Lease To Home Program.

Sylvia was the 2020 recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award from the NC NOW (National Organization for Women) and achieved other personal recognition for her work to include the presented to those excelling in professional development and leadership;  the Louise G. Gregory Award for Promoting the Oneness of Humanity (Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Fayetteville); Methodist University and her most treasured acknowledgment: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.

Sylvia served with pride on the Board of Trustees at Fayetteville State. She also served as President of the Fayetteville Chapter of the National Organization of Women, marching for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, and fighting for women’s abortion rights throughout the 1980s. She was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984 and remained a loyal Democrat all her life.