Jacquise A. Purifoy, Esq. is a Facilitator and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Build Institute. April 1, 2019 she joined the Build Institute as the lead for Citywide Detroit Soup. Detroit Soup is a micro granting dinner celebrating creative projects in Detroit. She was sworn into the State Bar of Michigan in November 2010. Prior to private practice, on April 1, 2011 she was hired by U.S. House of Representative Hansen Clarke (MI-13) as his Chief Correspondent. In this role, she was solely responsible for orchestrating policy positions and legislative responses to constituents. Then as Clarke’s Community Grants Coordinator she worked directly with key federal and state business and civic leaders to identify small business and economic development initiatives in Southeastern Michigan. Jacquise wrote over 200 letters of support for businesses and non-profits in Metro Detroit securing over $9 million in funding. In 2004, Jacquise matriculated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English and American Culture.
Jacquise is a zealous advocate for people in her community and was profiled in Dbusiness Magazine’s 2014 Top Lawyers Edition. She was featured in Legal News’ Motion Magazine as a young lawyer with a sharp, energetic mind, and burgeoning talent committed to Detroit’s rejuvenation. B.L.A.C. Magazine recognized Jacquise as a local Hometown Hero. Jacquise’s most memorable professional moment is having the opportunity to visit the White House on behalf of the citizens of Detroit and to personally meet President Barack Obama twice!