Telia Urey

Urey completed most of her primary and secondary education in Liberia and Ghana, before leaving for Canada to attend Columbia International College and McGill University in Hamilton, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec, respectively. She studied political science and sociology.[3]

Her business career started in Canada in 2009, when she opened Melyke Hair, wholesaling and retailing hair and hair products to companies and women in Canada, Liberia, Cameroon, and Ghana. In 2010, Urey went on to open The Pet Store - the first post-war veterinary clinic in Liberia, located on 4th Street in Sinkor. The Pet Store brought relief to many livestock farmers who reportedly were losing their animals due to the lack of veterinary services in the country.

In 2011, Urey formed Core Investment Group (CIG in Liberia), a real estate development company with residential and commercial developments across Liberia.[4]

Urey is also the owner of Fuzion d’Afrique Restaurant, one of Liberia's leading restaurants established in 2015 and located in Monrovia, Liberia.[5] The restaurant hosts charitable events including the monthly “Made in Liberia Fair”, organized in collaboration with the Liberia Business Association and the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, which is a forum where goods and services produced and offered in Liberia are displayed and sold.[6]

In 2019, she was nominated for “Female Entrepreneur of The Year” Award by Liberian Youth Awards.[7]

Urey has been in political advocacy for over 9 years, been a part of protests for social justice and economic change, supported civil society movements, engaged the media, supported candidates and political campaigns in her fight for change.[3]

In 2019, Urey contested a representative by-election in District 15 in Montserrado County. She contested on the ticket of the Collaborating Political Parties. She came second in the election and was publicly praised for effective competition by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who supported her candidacy. [8]

Urey is the founder and executive director of Reach Africa International (RAI). Established in 2019, RAI is an independent non-governmental research, humanitarian, development, and advocacy institution, committed to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to human suffering in Africa. RAI's vision is a developed Africa, where everyone, including children, women and young people, live fulfilled and poverty-free lives.[9]

Her humanitarian efforts include having a scholarship program that has assisted over 700 students across Liberia from elementary school to university level.[10]

Urey also serves on the board of U-Foundation. Using her network, Urey has been the highest financial contributor for the foundation. U-Foundation works in the areas of water and sanitation, health, education, microcredit, and agriculture in impoverished communities. U-Foundation has had an impact on the lives of many community dwellers across Liberia.[11]

She is the daughter of Liberian businessman and politician Benoni Urey and businesswoman and philanthropist, Mai B. Urey. She has three siblings.