Today we’d like to introduce you to Demi Oche.
Hi Demi , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a humanitarian, nonprofit founder, producer, and matriarch, and my life’s work has always been rooted in love, service, and generational impact. I was raised in a small town in North Carolina, surrounded by deep family values, rich culture, and a strong sense of community. I was a proud grandma’s baby, shaped by the woman who showed me—by example—what it truly means to love people. I watched my grandmother feed the hungry, house the homeless, and love everyone without condition. That kind of compassion didn’t just inspire me; it became part of who I am.
That foundation later gave birth to 1 PowerHouse, one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations of its kind. What started as a heart for service grew into a large-scale humanitarian operation focused on restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity to families in need. Through 1 PowerHouse, we have served thousands of families locally and internationally by providing food, clothing, household essentials, emergency relief, and access to vital community resources. Through strategic partnerships with major retailers and organizations, we’ve distributed truckloads of donated goods, responded to natural disasters, supported underserved communities, and built sustainable outreach models that go far beyond charity. For me, 1 PowerHouse is not just an organization—it is my grandmother’s legacy, modernized and multiplied.
Beyond my humanitarian work, I am a devoted wife to my amazing husband, Jason Oche, who is my anchor and my partner in purpose. Together, we have built a beautifully blended family. I am the proud mother of four children, have adopted three more, and over the years I’ve opened my heart and home to countless foster children—many of whom I consider my own. My commitment to nurturing, protecting, and empowering children has never been about titles or biology; it has always been about calling.
Today, I also carry one of my most cherished roles: grandmother to six amazing grandchildren, who are truly the love of my life. They represent everything I’ve worked toward—legacy, healing, and a future rooted in faith and compassion.
In addition to my nonprofit leadership, I am deeply involved in media, storytelling, and healing platforms that amplify voices often left unheard. Whether through community initiatives, faith-based conversations, or creative productions, my passion remains the same: helping people discover purpose, find wholeness, and understand that their lives—no matter how difficult the journey—still matter.
At my core, I am a builder—of people, of communities, and of legacy. Guided by faith, fueled by love, and grounded in service, I continue to believe and live by this truth: one life, one yes, and one willing heart truly can change the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, my road has not always been smooth. Long before I met my husband Jason, I endured physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of the father of my children. Living in that kind of environment slowly strips you of your identity. For a long time, I didn’t know who I was anymore, and it took years to find my way back to myself and to discover my true purpose.
While I was still in the process of healing, life continued to test me. I lost my grandmother—the love of my life—the woman who raised me, shaped me, and showed me what it meant to love people well. She was my safe place, my example, and my foundation. Losing her felt like losing the center of my world.
Not long after, I lost both of my parents—whom I adored with everything in me. Their sudden absence left a void that words can’t fully explain. It felt like mourning three pillars of my life all at once, and the grief was layered, heavy, and relentless.
In the midst of that heartbreak, I almost lost my oldest son. He became critically ill and needed a heart and kidney transplant, and there were moments when I truly didn’t know if he would survive. Watching my child fight for his life while I was grieving my grandmother and parents and trying to rebuild myself pushed me to the edge of endurance.
All of those experiences took a tremendous toll on me. There were seasons when I wavered deeply, questioning whether I could really do this—whether I was strong enough to keep leading, keep mothering, keep believing, or even keep living. Some days, survival felt like the only victory.
But it was in those darkest moments that my purpose became clearer. What was meant to break me began to shape me. The pain gave me compassion. The loss gave me perspective. And the survival gave me a calling—to stand in the gap for others who feel lost, broken, or unsure if they can make it through another day.
I don’t share my story from a place of shame or bitterness. I share it as proof that healing is possible, identity can be restored, and purpose can rise even from the most painful chapters of life. Everything I build, everything I serve, and everything I lead carries the legacy of the people who loved me first—and taught me how to love others well.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
1 PowerHouse is more than a nonprofit—it is a movement rooted in dignity, consistency, and love. At its core, what we do is simple: we meet real needs in real time. But how we do it, and the scale at which we do it, is what sets us apart.
We specialize in large-scale humanitarian outreach. That includes food insecurity relief, family stabilization, emergency response, and community restoration. We serve families locally, nationally, and internationally, providing food, clothing, household essentials, school supplies, disaster relief, and wraparound resources that help people move forward, not just survive. One of the things we’re known for is our ability to mobilize quickly and efficiently—whether that’s responding to a natural disaster, supporting underserved communities, or sustaining families week after week.
What truly sets 1 PowerHouse apart is consistency and capacity. Many organizations do one-time events; we build systems. Through strategic partnerships with major retailers and corporations, we receive and distribute truckloads of donated goods—often in quantities that allow us to serve thousands of families at a time. We don’t believe in scarcity-based service. We believe in abundance with order, dignity, and excellence. People don’t just receive help from us—they experience care.
We are also deeply family-centered. Everything we do is designed to strengthen families, preserve dignity, and restore hope. Whether it’s a mother trying to feed her children, a senior choosing between medication and groceries, or a community recovering from crisis, our approach is always the same: meet people where they are, without judgment, and serve them with respect.
Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is our reputation for integrity and trust. Communities know us. Partners trust us. When 1 PowerHouse shows up, people know help is coming—and that it will be done with excellence. We are known for not exploiting people’s pain, not making them jump through hoops, and not treating service like a photo opportunity. Our work speaks for itself.
What I want readers to know most about 1 PowerHouse is that we are built on legacy and sustainability. This organization is a continuation of the compassion I watched growing up—modernized, structured, and multiplied for greater impact. We are intentional about creating long-term solutions, empowering volunteers, and building partnerships that allow us to serve at scale without losing the heart of the mission.
1 PowerHouse exists to remind people that help can be humane, that service can be excellent, and that love—when organized—can change lives. We don’t just give resources; we restore dignity, reinforce hope, and help communities rise.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Atlanta is the blend. It’s diverse, creative, ambitious, and full of opportunity. In my opinion, it’s hard not to be successful here if you’re willing to work. Yes, the city can be challenging, but with persistence, consistency, and endurance, you can absolutely secure the bag. Atlanta rewards boldness, vision, and hustle, and it gives people room to reinvent themselves and build something meaningful.
What I like least is the traffic—that part speaks for itself. But beyond that, Atlanta can be very cliquish at times. It’s a “who you know” city, and while relationships matter everywhere, I’ve learned that an overemphasis on connections can sometimes overshadow true talent. When the focus shifts too heavily to proximity instead of purpose, or popularity instead of skill, it can limit opportunities for people who genuinely deserve a seat at the table.
That said, Atlanta has taught me how to navigate rooms with wisdom, not ego, and how to let my work speak louder than access. If you stay authentic, consistent, and committed to excellence, this city will still make room for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1powerhouse.org
- Instagram: 1powerhouse
- Facebook: 1powerhouse
