Ms. Raye is a longtime resident of Meriden, known for her endless support of Meriden youth and for serving as an advocate for those needing their voice amplified in the community.

She is one of Meriden's first black teachers, teaching first and second grade at Nathan Hale School for thirty-two years.

In the 1980s, she organized Meriden’s first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Albert Owens Scholarship Breakfast. Since then, over $150,000 has been raised for scholarships to help local students achieve their goal of earning a college degree.

Her commitment and dedication to the well-being of the greater Meriden community are among the many reasons she was selected as the 2023 Strong, Smart, and Bold Award recipient.