Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Attorney, Entrepreneur Jacquise Purifoy

Jacquise Purifoy is an attorney, community and business developer, an HIV counselor and a Facilitator and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Build Institute.

She was sworn into the State Bar of Michigan in 2010. Prior to private practice, she was hired by former U.S. House of Representative Hansen Clarke as his Chief Correspondent. Later 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.

She joined the Build Institute in 2019, as the lead for Citywide Detroit Soup. The Build Institute helps people turn their business ideas into reality by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support network in Detroit. Detroit Soup is a micro granting dinner celebrating creative projects in Detroit.

She was profiled in Dbusiness Magazine’s 2014 Top Lawyers Edition, featured in Legal News’ Motion Magazine and recognized in B.L.A.C. Magazine as a local Hometown Hero.

A mother at age 13. Purifoy says that the birth of her daughter made her more determined to achieve the goals her mother set for her. She uses her life’s lessons to counsel young women on pregnancy prevention and reproductive health.

Jacquise is an avid advocate for people in her community. Her 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!