In November 2015, Zion Community Enterprise, Inc. (ZCE) was incorporated as the not-for-profit
501(c)3 community-based development corporate “arm” of Zion Baptist Church with a mandate to
allow for the promotion of healthy communities in the Washington Metropolitan Area by providing
critical support to families in crisis. Zion Community Enterprise’s motto is “Healthy Families Make
Healthy Communities” and the overarching mission of Zion Community Enterprise is accomplished
by encouraging and empowering families through training, advocacy, crisis intervention, temporary
housing opportunities and other community engagement programming.
The mission of Zion Community Enterprise encompasses the following core principles: (a) To
provide quality day care for seniors and respite care opportunities for families caring for elderly
family members; (b) To promote and provide affordable housing options including multi-family
housing units and temporary housing for families in transition; (c) To advocate and promote
programs and create environments that are conducive to healthy families; and (d) To provide quality
training and educational resources such as parenting skills, computer literacy and financial
literacy, job readiness training, employment and entrepreneurial development.
Zion Community Enterprise is domiciled at 4850 Blagden Avenue in upper northwest Washington,
D.C. (Ward Four). Currently, Zion Community Enterprise provides administrative and financial
oversight of the Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Center through an annual grant provided by
the DC Department on Aging and Community Living. In addition, Zion Community Enterprise is
focusing on the provision of affordable housing and community development activities that benefit
low- and-moderate-income families and persons. It should be noted that Zion Community
Enterprise was specifically established to be the community development corporation (CDC) partner
of Zion Baptist Church.
The Governing Board of Directors of Zion Community Enterprise that was chosen by Zion Baptist
Church for a two-year term (2021-2023) are as follows: Brother David J. Saunders (Chair), Trustee
James E. Brown (Vice Chair), Brother Horace Jeffery Abney (Treasurer), Sister Maureen A. Barnes
(Secretary), and Rev. Dr. Ella V. Redfield (Chaplain). The Governing Board of Directors will be
charged with implementing a five-year strategic plan for Zion Community Enterprise and will
provide an annual report of their progress to the members of Zion Baptist Church (i.e. – ZCE
stakeholders) detailing the status of ongoing initiatives, activities and programs.
Zion Baptist Church has three properties that it owns outright with the Main Campus and a Family
Life Center located in Ward Four of Washington, D.C. and a North Campus located in Wheaton,
Maryland. Zion Baptist Church’s real estate development vision is to maintain and expand our
senior day care center program at the Family Life Center while also developing affordable senior
housing on the Family Life Center. Zion Community Enterprise’s vision is to “repurpose” the
existing Family Life Center property located at 4817 Blagden Avenue, N.W. into affordable, safe, and
quality housing for seniors located in Ward Four.
Lastly, Zion Community Enterprise will at all times demonstrate its commitment to affordable
senior housing development initiatives, both individually and collectively with partnering
stakeholders, by actively advocating in our communities and integrating sustainable business
practices wherever possible. We will intentionally strive to ensure that we hold ourselves
accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.
Learn More About Zion Community Enterprise, Inc.
