Brief Biography of Founders

Peace Udechukwu-Ezeka and Onyinyeh "Ruby" Okeke founded PURE-Unity LLC during their graduate degree work at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 2010. However, their mission began in 2012 after relocating to Chicago after graduation. Peace and Ruby who are both natives of West Africa, Nigeria, both raised in Southern California after their parents migrated to the United States early 1980's. After undergoing a transformative awareness during the pursuit of their Master’s Degree in Mental Health at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, Peace and Ruby understood that there was a deeper challenge and cultural need that were visible and yet not dealt with within the African American community. This was when Peace and Ruby discovered that they both had a unique passion to educate and empower the African American community as a whole.   

As Peace and Ruby both hold Master’s Degrees in Mental Health Clinical Counseling; they also follow similar tracks with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Together they have over 20years of experience working with youth in urban communities and are  both experienced workshop facilitators and engaging presenters.  Peace and Ruby are both social activist and community organizers who bring a unique style to their work.  They believe in the power of “KEEPING IT REAL” which they believe allows for people to stay connected to the “reality” as means to understanding the “here and now” and not just “wishful thinking” that people tend to struggle with everyday.

 As these two women have a deep love and passion for the community, they are cognizant of their work ahead. Holding additional titles, Peace is a Professional Counselor working with underserved communities, and currently the Program Director/CFO for The Life Development Center in Southside Chicago. In addition she is an educator, poet, writer, social activist, and community organizer. Ruby, also a Professional Counselor holds multiple titles as well in education, entertainment and in creative directing. Currently, Ruby works as a Crisis Prevention Therapist with Community Counseling Centers of Chicago on the Westside underserves community in Chicago. 

Additionally, Peace and Ruby has served within the youth outreach department at the The City light Church, located in Chicago's Kenwood community. The passion that these two women present for the community are their foundation in Kingdom principles, their belief that teaching Kingdom principals, and belief that teach such principals is the key elements of our mental health.