Michele Grant, originally from Philadelphia, obtained her Masters of City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences - from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Her first position with the City of Raleigh was that of Housing Planner in the Planning Department. In that role, she was the liaison to the Raleigh Affordable Housing Task Force and was the lead staff person for a number of housing studies, which culminated in a greater city role and in funding for housing programs and activities. When the Community Development Department was established in 1985, she became a CD Project Manager. This role involved her in: project oversight for the CDBG program (including budget planning); oversight of the Consolidated Plan and Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER); budgetary expenditures for CDBG activities; liaison with the Planning Department on redevelopment plans; citywide housing policies and reports; oversight of relocation activities and special projects. Michele was appointed Community Development Director in August of 2003 and now oversees a staff of 22. The department manages redevelopment and housing projects across the city funded by a multi-million dollar budget from Federal, City, State and Bond sources.

The Community Development Department has been the recipient of numerous local and national awards for its housing programs and activities.