Board of Directors

Welcome! Meet our board of directors below!

Chinyere Ulasi - President

Author, Mentor, Philanthropist, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur, Financial Advisor, and Consummate Professional, Chinyere Ulasi is a proud Nigerian- American and President of the Chief Sylvanus Ulasi Scholarship Foundation Inc. The eldest of Chief Sylvanus Ulasi's four children, Chinyere developed a passion for advocacy and financial literacy, fueled by running her father’s business beginning at age 11. She has a life-long commitment to eliminate poverty and provide financial education throughout the world by teaching others the importance of capital preservation, building and protecting credit, and debt elimination.

Spare time is rare time, but Chinyere enjoys traveling the world, the sound and view of the ocean, walking barefoot on the beach, playing with her dog, dancing, singing, and having a good laugh with family and friends. She is never too busy to lend an ear and gives great advice. Chinyere values family, community and self-love. “I believe that we can change the world by using our eyes and ears. Observing and listening to the concerns of others, will make this world a better place! Compassion for our brethren is necessary to achieve growth.”

Chinyere currently serves as a Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce, where she is an advocate for both small businesses and corporations in North Carolina.

Sylvanus Ulasi Jr. - Director

My name is Sylvanus Ulasi Jr. I’m the CEO of Bentley’s Moving a start up small business in the moving/logistics industry. I’m also known as “Sylva” , and I’m Sylvanus’s eldest son. My passion in life is being able to provide just like my father did when he was here with us in the physical form. I’m really focused on expanding my moving company right now, so working is pretty much all I do, but I enjoy social gatherings with my peers, and going to sporting events, concerts, etc. I believe this foundation will provide an opportunity for the scholar who receives it him/her to further strive toward greatness, and make a way for their family and one day off-spring to have stepping stones in life to create generational wealth as the road my father paved before his untimely passing away. The more I grow in my business I realize how much of my father is in my soul everyday, and with that same fire/desire I hope I can be that motivation tool for our future recipients to look toward, and also strive to maintain high academics each and every year.

Michael Ulasi - Director of Human Resources

I am the third child and second born son of Sylvanus Ulasi Sr. My current career path is that of construction. Plumbing specifically; I’m working towards becoming a General Contractor in order to have the ability to build houses, churches, etc. both locally and internationally. When I’m not chasing career pursuits, I enjoy spending time with my wife Brianna and our dogs Shalom and Rayah. Above all I cherish my faith in Jesus and worshiping Him is where my joy is found. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support of the foundation. -Michael Ulasi.

Brianna Colton - Secretary / Director of Social Media

Brianna Colton is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is actively pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Philosophy, and a double minor in American Studies and Religious Studies. Class of 2021. Brianna is currently President of Agents for Animals, and is a devout animal enthusiast. Post graduation Brianna will be obtaining a Masters degree in Religious Studies as well as Political Science. In her free time, Brianna enjoys doing yoga and pilates, listening to music, traveling abroad, and trying new vegan recipes! Brianna's calming demeanor and optimistic personality are a necessary addition to our Board of Directors.

Colin Okoye - Director of Administration / Chief Legal Officer

Colin Okoye is an Associate Attorney at MLB LAW located in Rock Hill, SC focusing his practice on the areas of criminal defense, family law, and immigration law.

Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Colin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2009. While at N.C. A&T, Colin was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, serving in leadership roles as the organization’s President and the Area Assistant Director amongst the local colleges and universities. Colin also served on the Student Senate while at N.C. A&T. During Colin’s junior year, he interned for the late Vernon Malone in the State Senate of the North Carolina General Assembly.

In 2014, Colin graduated from Charlotte School of Law where he was a member of the Intellectual Property Law Society and where he also served on the Academic Disciplinary Team for two years. During law school, Colin worked for two years as an intern at the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution serving all of North Carolina by helping entrepreneurs build and expand their businesses.

After earning his law degree, Colin worked for two and a half years as a Senior Analyst in the Domestic Equities Trading Division for Deutsche Bank, a top investment bank based in Germany. While at Deutsche Bank, Colin also went on to work as a Compliance Associate. Colin furthered his experience by working for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a securities regulation organization in their Los Angeles region. He then worked for the Public Defender’s Office for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in York, South Carolina. While an Assistant Public Defender, he represented hundreds of clients in a variety of criminal cases.

Colin is a member of the South Carolina, York County and Maryland Bar Association.

In his leisure time, Colin enjoys playing tennis, reading and traveling. He is a loyal Tarheels fan.

Louis Okoli (Sir Leo L Okoli) - Director of International Affairs

Louis Okoli was boring in Okpur, Nigeria. During primary school he studied in Nnewi, Anambra State, at Okofia, Otolo. After primary school he went to General Holy Ghost Seminary in Inoma. Following this he attended grammar school. Louis attended college in the United States. Firstly, he attended Jackson State University in Mississippi where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. After earning his B.S. he attended Jackson State University again to earn his Masters of Business Administration. Following this he earned a degree in Mathematics from Saint Augustine's Univeristy in Raleigh, North Carolina. After working for Mason Dealership for a period of time he left this job to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, which he is still doing to today. In his spare time he enjoys soccer which has been a big part of his childhood and adulthood alike. He played soccer from primary shcool all the through University. He recalls meeting Chief Sylvanus Ulasi through soccer and has fond memories of their bonding through the sport.

Louis Okoli official Igbo title is Nnu Tulunni

Chief Mrs. Francisca Chibure Okafor - Director of Cultural Affairs and Events

Francisca Chibure Okafor is a native of IMO State, Nigeria. She is an Alumni of Shaw University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She is a devoted mother of 4, all whom now assist her with her Home Health agency. She has always had a passion for helping others which explains why she has worked with individuals with mental health needs for over 20 years, created numerous job for others within and outside of her business, and also continues to do philanthropic work in her free time. Mrs. Okafor also enjoys the art of cinema, traveling, making native dishes for her family.

Obinwanne Ugochukwu Ezedum - Director of Development

Obinwanne Ugochukwu Ezedum has spent his life using his personal and career experiences to help better the road transport sector of Nigeria. As the son of a businessman and a teacher, the concept of hardwork, integrity and dedication is the bed rock of his career.

In his commitment to uplifting the community, he has organized several safety campaigns and advised government on policies to help better the transport sector of Anambra State. His remarkable impact and overall generated annual revenue earned him the best state coordinator of 2019.

While his primary focus is on transport, he is however also involved in charitable organizations such as The Chief Sylvanus Ulasi Scholarship Foundation were he serves as the Board Chairperson and Head of Interviews in Nigeria.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Banking and Finance from Anambra State University, Igbariam. He currently works for Temple Syc Inspection Limited as the State Coordinator for Anambra state and is also a devout member of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship. He is happily married to Dr. Precious Ezedum.

Dr. Chris Ulasi - Director of Communications

Chris Ulasi is Professor of Radio, Television and Film and chair of the Department of Radio, Television and Film at Texas Southern University, Houston. His background includes over 30 years of college/university level teaching/research and creative experience and over 25 years of administrative and leadership experience. His undergraduate education was at Texas Southern University with a B.A. in Telecommunications. He has a master’s degree in Telecommunication and Psychology from Texas Southern University. He received his Ph.D. in International Communications from the University of Texas at Austin.

Ulasi is a screenwriter, producer, director, and poet. He has been journal and book editor of the Journal of Nigerian Affairs formerly COMPO REVIEW. He is co-founder and publisher of The West African Pilot News and serves also as Executive Editor. He is the Executive Editor of USAfricaonline.com. He has published scholarly articles, book chapters, and presented papers at numerous conferences. His research areas include international communication, development communication, comparative global media systems, Film studies, and critical theory.

A film producer/director, Chris has produced seven & co-directed three feature length films: “Material Witness” (Songhai Filmworks, 1994) and “The Kangaroo” (Songhai Filmworks, 1995), “The Stalk Exchange 419” (Songhai Filmworks, 1997). His fourth film as a producer, “Return of the Exile”, which he co-wrote with writer/director Don Okolo was shortlisted at the 2005 Nigerian International Film festival, New York. Other films include “Blood “n” Destiny” in 2009 and “The Land”, 2011 by Insurmountable Filmworks, and “Page Thirty-Six”. Another project by Ulasi, a documentary film examining the lives of the Nigerian emigrant community in the United States, is currently in production.

He has appeared as expert guest on numerous media platforms including NPR, ABC, CBS, and NBC TV channels. His poems have appeared in journals and publications including Drumvoices Review, AfricanWriters, Pilot News, Journal of Nigerian Affairs, USAfrica, ajtlonline.com, and Drum.

Chris is a member of several professional organizations including African Studies Association and the International Communication Association and is very active in local and nationally based social and cultural organizations. From 1993 –1996, he served as the Secretary General of the Council of Nigerian Peoples and Organization, North America. In 1990 he was elected the first Secretary General of the Igbo Peoples Congress (1990 –1994), an umbrella organization representing all the Igbo community organizations in metropolitan Houston, Texas. He served as general secretary and later Vice President of Anambra State Association, USA (ASA-USA), and past President of Anambra State Community, Houston (ANASCO). From 2015 – 2019 he served as president of Ndi-Ichie Cultural Club. He currently serves on the board of The African Film Festival (TAFF), Dallas, and American Journal of Transformational Leadership, ASA-USA. Ulasi is the current president of League of Nigerians in the Diaspora, LNID.

Dr. Chika Nwanedo - Director of Marketing

Chika Nwanedo was born in Nigeria. She earned a Doctorate in Nursing from East Carolina University. Chika prides herself in being a community bridge builder. She is a beautiful spirit as well as a lover of people. Furthermore, she is a devout and dedicated woman of God.

Dr. Somto Ubezonu - Treasurer

Dr. Somto Ubezonu is currently the CEO of CU Consulting Services. A Real Estate Investor for more than twelve years and a mediator for about two years as of the time of writing this book. He also has a Certification in Human Resources Management. He holds a Masters and a Doctorate degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.