valerie mcmurry & julie coffee
Business Model, Theory of Change
Ground Root Development, LLC is the economic development and district revitalization arm of ROOTED. Ground Root Development is where healthy living begins. Through Ground Root Development, neighborhoods are enhanced and they begin to understand the power of revitalization as they recognize the impact of housing quality. Ground Root Development is committed to making the community attractive and improving economic value, which ultimately contributes to a healthy community brand. The basis of building a healthy culture is to build that community by love, experience, and excellence.
We offer all-inclusive services that guide each client from the beginning to the end. Whether it's in building custom design, single family homes, multi-family homes, mix use or commercial spaces.
Biggest Organizational Needs
Finances - not having the necessary capital is a major issue that limits bringing on capable & confident employees, financing more projects, and enhancing our marketing capabilities. Other community access barriers that limit our work include things like tree removal, repair of poorly maintained sidewalks, piled up debris, and the refurbishment of overgrown alleys for driveway access.
Redemptive Opportunity
We strategically curate holistic environments that uplift and promote the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the people who live and work within a built community through home ownership. We exist to reduce disparities by building healthy individuals and families through a holistic approach that supports and grows community through access to home ownership.
fellow bio
Valerie McMurry: Native of Louisiana, B.S Grambling State University, Pursuing Masters Adult Education, 20 years of experience in facilitating programs covering interview techniques, resume writing, customer service, dressing for success, strategic planning, leadership & management training. Valerie has owned her own business from 2001-2004 which was called Simply the Best Upscale Resale & Boutique. She also co-hosted a spiritual radio broadcast for three years. Valerie also has three years’ experience as a part-time manager and personal shopper for Macy’s department store. McMurry is currently Director of Community Outreach & Wellness, oversees Wellness & Community Programs at Metro Technology Centers.
She promotes, educates, and coordinates programs for her community and employees emphasizing the importance of being whole in mind, body, and spirit.
McMurry also coordinates Girl Tech, mentoring programs for young ladies in STEM. Some of her notable accomplishments include: elected 2014 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall Participant (Improving the Health of Oklahomans), Earned a Certified Healthy Excellence Business Award 5years, accepted the 2014 Kaleidoscope Award, Candidate OK 50 Women Making a Difference Woman of the Year Award, standing member of the State Wellness Committee, Oklahoma City Community Foundation member, chaired Walk This Weigh Governor campaign, High Impact Committee Member, NE Health Collaborative Community & Team Leader, Lynn Institute Board Member, Adventure District Board Member, Latino Agency Board Member and Freedom School Board Member.
McMurry is also an Ordained Minister and a graduate of the SALLT (Salt and Light Leadership Training). McMurry enjoys spending time with her wonderful family & friends. In her spare time she enjoys inspirational readings, worshiping, working out, riding motorcycles and enjoying nature. Most of all Valerie loves encouraging others to get out of the boat, esteem to that next level and take care of themselves mind, body and spirit!
CO-FELLOW BIO
Julie Coffee, a long-time resident of Oklahoma is a native of Houston, Texas. She’s the wife of Leonard Coffee, her husband of 38 years and they have two adult children – Corey in Tulsa and Carmen in California. Julie was formally President of High Impact Management, an Oklahoma City based project management consulting firm she founded 10 years ago prior to joining the Ground Root Development (GRD) team. Her role as Sr. Project Manager with GRD still gives her the opportunity to serve as an advocate / advisor while working with clients during the design and construction phase. With a total of 25-years of experience in engineering and project management, she enjoys the
challenge of managing the overall project to lower risks, maximize the client’s budget and to maintain the schedule. Julie is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where she earned a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the University of Texas where she earned a BS degree in Architectural Engineering.
In the area of community service, Julie has served as the Executive Chairperson for CANstruction OKC for six years. This unique can food drive and design-build competition has raised over 68,000 pounds of food and $28,225 for local OKC food banks. Julie currently serves on the Board of Leadership Oklahoma City and The Salvation Army of Central OK and is grateful to contribute to these two outstanding organizations. She balances her career with mind, body and spirit commitments that include quality time with her Texas and Louisiana family, traveling, enjoying relaxing times with friends, reading and bible study with her “Rooted Sisters”, playing pickleball and working out and last but not least, spoiling her granddog Chloe.