Jasmine Ray
Jasmine Ray is an entrepreneur, author, public servant, and former recording artist whose work bridges sports, community, and culture.
From Wallball Courts to City Hall: A Commitment to Service, Purpose, and Community
She founded the United States Wallball Association in honor of her late brother, Jonathan, leading programs that empowered thousands of New York City teens to embrace education, wellness, and nonviolence. Her career has spanned consulting for global brands like Red Bull, directing the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness and Recreation, and serving as Executive Director to Cornerstone Daycare in Brooklyn.
A gifted public speaker, Jasmine continues a family legacy of leadership—her great-grandfather, Reverend Dr. Sandy F. Ray, was a pioneering pastor and civil rights leader once hailed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the strongest orators in the Black church.
She has been recognized as one of Brooklyn’s Top Women in Business, a CNN Woman of the Week, NY1's New Yorker of the Week, and El Diario’s Most Influential Latinas in New York City.
Beyond her public life, Jasmine is also a 4th-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and marathon runner.
“I believe in the power of sports and culture to uplift youth, build community, and drive positive change.”
The U.S. Wallball Association
For ten years, The United States Wall Ball Association (USWA) has provided more than 2,000 young athletes from around the New York metropolitan area with an opportunity to realize their full potential with only a ball…a wall…and a dream.
The USWA is a not-for-profit national organization that utilizes the sport of Wall Ball (known to many as “handball”) to motivate and inspire young people in underserved communities throughout the New York metropolitan area, to stay in school, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and pursue productive alternatives to drug use and violent behavior.
The USWA currently serves thousands of children and young adult Wall Ball athletes (ages 25 and under) with Wall Ball serving as a backdrop for its special events.
Cornerstone Daycare Center
Cornerstone Daycare Center is a collaborative learning community dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and high-quality childcare that supports each child’s holistic development. Continuing the legacy of Reverend Dr. Sandy F. Ray and honoring a rich cultural heritage, Cornerstone is proudly led by his great-granddaughter, Jasmine Ray.
We serve children ages 2–5 through programs including EarlyLearn, 3-K, and Pre-K for All (UPK). Our clean, safe, and nurturing environment is designed to give children meaningful experiences where they can play, learn, and grow. At Cornerstone, we are committed not only to the development of each child but also to supporting families as they pursue their personal and professional goals.
NYC Mayor's office of sports wellness and recreation
As the founding Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness, and Recreation, Jasmine Ray has positioned the office as a leader in access, equity, and innovation in recreation citywide. Under her leadership, the office revived the Mayor’s Cup, hosting more than 15 competitions in both traditional and non-traditional sports including Robotics, Ping Pong, E-Sports, Basketball, Baseball, Dance and Relay. These efforts gave young New Yorkers new platforms to showcase their talents while expanding the definition of sports and wellness. The office also prioritized community investment, overseeing court renovations, contract renegotiations, and the groundbreaking of a new recreation centers, while ensuring champions and community partners were honored at City Hall.
Jasmine also laid the groundwork for MOSWR’s long-term identity and reach forging lasting partnerships with commissioners, borough leaders, CBOs, and professional sports teams. Under her leadership, the office advocated for youth sports funding and grants, elevated the role of sports through panels and conferences on leadership and women in sports, and welcomed international engagement through events like a special visit from global cricket leaders. These accomplishments reflect Jasmine’s vision to establish MOSWR as a cornerstone of wellness, equity, and opportunity for New Yorkers.