Born and raised in Kansas City, Mo Jacquada (Jay) Gray II has spent the majority of her career educating and mentoring youth in the Kansas City Urban Core. As a 4th generation Kansas City Public Schools attendee, Jay is extremely passionate about the success of district students and the Legacy of KCPS.  Her drive to create opportunities for KCPS students is showcased in her ability to work directly in 3 of the 4 Neighborhood Highschools. Jay’s educational career includes a Bachelors degree in History with a Minor in Spanish from the University of Missouri- Kansas City, where her final research topic was KCPS. She then went on to receive a Masters degree in Higher & PostSecondary Education from Teachers College Columbia University, where her research focus was PostSecondary Success of Minority and Underprivileged students. 

With strong ties to the community, Jay has worked or volunteered in many educational capacities throughout Kansas City for over 10 years. This includes her current service as a Board Member for Fresh, Fly, and Smart Nonprofit Organization, a Big Sister with the ACES program of Big Brothers Big Sisters-KC, her most recent appointment as the Events and Outreach Committee chair for the UMKC Black Alumni Alliance, and previous service on the KC Mayor's Youth Commission . An educator, Jay taught many grades ranging between 6-12 and the University level. This gives her a unique perspective to teacher challenges and allows her to remain conscious of their needs. She currently works as an Independent College & Career Access and Success Coach, as well as in University Admissions as a College Application Reader. She strongly believes that every student in Kansas City has the ability to be successful, and it is her goal to ensure that all students have the same support and opportunities to reach this success.