Desmonde Shalom Monroe is an industry leader and is one of Business Equality Magazines 2019 40 under 40 and is featured in other publications such as BuzzFeed, Blavity, Authority Magazine, Wall Street Journal Select, and Bisnow. Our interview took place on a beautiful spring afternoon in central park, just a few blocks from his upper west side apartment. Let’s get to know more about the captivating entrepreneur.
Desmonde Shalom Monroe is the president and CEO of The Monroe Group, LLC. The Monroe Group, LLC is a New York City and State MBE - PANYNJ MBE, SBE, DBE Community Development firm focusing on Affordable Housing Development and large publicly funded capital project, including Disaster Recovery. He is an industry leader and is one of Business Equality Magazines 2019 40 under 40 and is featured in other publications such as BuzzFeed, Blavity, Authority Magazine, Wall Street Journal Select, and Bisnow, to name a few. He uses his experience in both the government and corporate sides of the contracting process in building his company. Now he's sharing those best practices with people everywhere with his new venture, The Monroe Accelerator. We sat down with Desmonde to ask him a few questions about his business, personal life and got a closer look into the mind of this dynamic change maker.
Q, Let get into the business first; why community development? What are your motivators?
A- When I was younger, I have always had a love for construction. I wanted to do something with my life that would somehow make people's lives better. People often feel forgotten and that no one is fighting for them, and I know that feeling personally. It speaks to the core of who I am to want to do something that will better the built environment and impact the people living in those environments. People living in underserved communities need hope and opportunities, not handouts. Unfortunately, I can't save everybody from life's hardships; still, I believe the methods I've used to cope with disappointments and adversity in my life can help others. We are all teachers in our own way, and people are going through something similar, so it is essential to share that knowledge to help someone else get through. What motivates me about community development is that I can bring affordable housing and foster economic growth to a community and be a catalyst for change and impact the human condition. And that's what motivates me. Everyone should be involved in community development on some level, especially in their local communities, and address affordable housing and economic development issues. As a developer, I feel it is my responsibility not to add to the displacement of long-term community residents. Instead, offer conscious solutions that will build within a community and bring new opportunities for the people who already live there.
Q, What inspired you to become a business owner?
A- I started my first business when I was ten years old washing cars, and as a child, I've always had these little side businesses I would create to make money. Even Halloween was a great way to make extra cash. I would trick or treat and not eat any of the candy I collected. Two weeks after Halloween, when the other kids ran out of the good candy, I would sell the candy I had out of my locker. So, I've always had an entrepreneurship mentality. I want to invest in new businesses that need mentorship so they can have an impact and create opportunities for other people. I mention in the Monroe accelerator program about going from painter to president. I want small businesses and certified firms to look at the bigger picture. By growing their companies, they can provide jobs and engage in community investment programs. I keep that vision of thriving communities and what I want to build at the forefront of my mind. When times get tough, as they do as a business owner, I need to have that vision that motivates me to keep moving, growing, and challenge myself constantly to do better. After all, the company and what I'm trying to do are much bigger than me, and I want the business to continue its mission well after I become an ancestor.
Q, Where do you see your companies in the next five years?
A- In the next five years, I would like to see The Monroe Group, LLC expand its affordable housing portfolio in New York City and Philadelphia. I would like to see our disaster recovery division work addressing natural disaster issues and their impacts on a community while working on other sustainability and infrastructure projects. For our online course, the Monroe Accelerator, I would love to see certified firms take advantage of the training and build their businesses. I also would like to have the Monroe Accelerator taught to school-age children because I believe you are never too young to learn about entrepreneurship and business development. The Monroe Group, LLC and all our other branches will be worldwide. I'm smiling as I say it because I realize it's such a big dream, but it's doable, and I want to push myself to manifest that vision.
Q. You're a big supporter of Certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB), and SBA 8(a) firms; why?
A- The Monroe Group, LLC is an MBE-certified firm. We have first-hand knowledge of what certified firms go through in the city, state, and federal contracting space. And the numbers show that certified firms are not getting the same kind of contract opportunities as non-certified firms. One reason is due to longstanding systemic issues. The other reason is the approach the certified firms use when competing in the government market, and that's why we created The Monroe Accelerator to fill that knowledge gap. When I started The Monroe Group, I wish I had more people to connect with and share best practices. Now that we have created this dynamic platform, certified firms will always have a community to go to when they need support and guidance.
Q, You mentioned compliance; why is compliance so important?
A- Compliance is important because if done correctly and adhered to, certified firms will have an opportunity to work on significant projects. It's about equity; far too often, certified firms, predominantly minority certified firms, have been excluded from government contracting for one reason or the other. Still, with compliance strictly enforced, everyone we'll have a shot. Compliance enforcement is not about giving people contracts who are not qualified to do the work. It's about making sure that everyone has a seat at the table and is represented.
Q, What can certified firms do to compete favorably in the market?
A- I will make this simple, join our class; we go through everything certified firms need to get their systems in place to start winning government contracts and enhance their brand simultaneously. Everyone's business is different. The significant part about the Accelerator is we have coaching sessions where we meet with certified firms across the country. And help them build strategies and systems that will take their business to the next level.
Q, What do you want certified firms to take away from the Accelerator program and the community?
A- I want certified firms not to give up. I want them to know that there is a way to do this, that if I've done it, they can do it. They do not have to do it alone; there is a coalition of people they can reach out to that have been down this road before and have successfully navigated this process. Firms that join the Accelerator have the opportunity to partner with other firms on projects, including The Monroe Group, increasing their opportunities.
Desmonde Shalom Monroe is a New Yorker at heart and has a deep love for the city he calls home and all that it has to offer. Our interview took place on a beautiful spring afternoon in central park, just a few blocks from his upper west side apartment. As our day progressed, I became intrigued with Desmonde; there is an energy about him that is captivating and a beauty that catches your attention and draws you in. You can feel his genuine spirit when he speaks about the desire to build better communities. And I do not doubt that with his passion, the Monroe Group, LLC, and the Monroe Accelerator will accomplish their goal.
Q, With all that you're doing in your professional life, how do you find balance?
A- I find balance with my spiritual practice; I practiced traditional African spirituality. I try to connect with that source of energy that connects me to my ancestors, my culture, and all the beauty that it holds. Everybody should connect to something bigger than themselves; whether they call it God, their ancestors, whatever the name, there is something bigger than us that we can tap into for inspiration and strength. I spend a lot of time reading books about African history and spiritual beliefs and learning new things, so I constantly buy new books. It helps me to disconnect from the world and get into a fascinating book, so I balance my life with traditional African spirituality and reading lots.
Q, You mentioned that you find balance in your spiritual and cultural practices. Can you tell our readers more about that aspect of your life?
A- Yes, I am Fulani and Fang. On my mother's side, our heritage is Fulani from Guinea Bissau. On my father's side, my heritage is Fang from Gabon. My people on both sides have deep spiritual and Mystic roots, and we give a lot of importance to our connection to spirit and our ancestors. My spiritual belief is a blueprint for how I live; I must stay connected to that heritage. Many people of African heritage living in America today don't know who their people were before slavery and have no connection to that rich and beautiful history. If they had that knowledge of their true heritage and had that spiritual and ancestral connection, a lot would change for people of African heritage living in America today.
Q, Big question, are you dating anyone?
A- I am currently single.
Q, What do you look for in a partner?
A- I'm not looking for anything; when I meet someone vibrating on the same energy level as myself, there are always sparks, and that's what I look for, the sparks.
Q, We talk about your business plans for the next five years. Do you have any personal goals you would like to accomplish in the next five years?
A- I want to start a family, and adoption is something that I want to do. Last year and in 2020, I was able to take parenting classes and move forward with potentially adopting a child, but it wasn't the right time, and I had to put it on hold. Having a family is big to me, and I want to pass on this company and our family traditions to the next generation of Monroe’s.
It was a pleasure meeting Desmonde Shalom Monroe against the picturesque ' backdrop of the central park in early spring. After meeting Desmonde, I am thoroughly impressed by this innovative entrepreneur who has a passion for building resilient, thriving communities. I feel this will not be the last time I sit down and have a conversation with Monroe; I think he will be taking the world by storm.
