For your Sunday reading pleasure, we are trying a new idea: Sunday chit-chat with a newsmaker or other interesting personality from the area. In this first installment we talk with Clark Ray.

Ray is running for at-Large Council in the District, and is squaring off against incumbent Phil Mendleson and D.C. Shadow Senator Michael D. Brown. Ray previously served as the District’s Director of Parks and Recreation and worked at the White House during the Clinton-Gore administration.

What does your Sunday routine look like?

Campaigning from sun up ’till sun down. But church sometimes first: Union Temple Baptist, in Anacostia. Rev. Wilson said some hurtful things about us LGBT residents years ago, but later while I was head of Parks and Recreation, he needed help on a seniors program, I helped his seniors, and we became friends. He’s moved a lot, and I’ve gotten to know his family, he’s even had me speak from his pulpit. It sounds corny, maybe it’s a Southern thing, but I’m very spiritual about people coming together like that. And I do like my old-school “crazy praise” as we say from the South.

Do you have an iPod? If so, what have you been listening to?

Yes- I have an iPod – Black Eyed Peas – Happens to be my favorite music group – Also it may be worth noting that Black Eyed Peas are also one of my favorite comfort foods!

Have you seen any good movies lately (DVD or theater)?

The Kids are All Right – Theater!

How long have you lived in D.C. and why did you move here?

I have lived here almost 23 years. I moved to DC to fulfill an internship at The American University in order to receive my M.Ed from Temple in Philadelphia. I fell in love with the city and decided to make it home. No regrets!