Chief of Staff

Raymond Solomon II is a native of Detroit, who has demonstrated his love and dedication through his work with the City of Detroit.  For 19 years, he has worked to improve the quality of life of Detroiters. He started his career with the City of Detroit in the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs.  Solomon joined the Duggan administration in January 2014 as the District 3 deputy manager for the Mayor’s newly created Department of Neighborhoods. He was soon promoted to District 7 manager before being promoted to general manager in 2019.  In 2021, he was promoted once again to the cabinet level position of director of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON).  

During his time with the DON, Ray led the creation of Halloween in the D, a popular annual tradition filled with fun family activities at sites across the city.  He also led the annual Motor City Makeover campaign, the Mayor’s Youth Affairs programs and the establishment of Serve Detroit, a volunteer program that provides assistance to Detroit’s elderly and disabled residents. In addition, he has been instrumental in the community engagement process for major developments taking place in neighborhoods across the city.

Ray, the son of a community activist, is all too familiar with what it takes to serve and maintain a relationship with the community.  As a child, Ray spent time in the community, passing out literature, sitting in on meetings with various block clubs, neighborhood groups and associations.  

A graduate of Frank Cody High School in Detroit, Ray attended Lewis College of Business after high school. He also has worked on several victorious campaigns for several judges, Detroit mayors, Southfield mayors, Wayne County commissioners and two presidential candidates.